Talking to reporters forward of Wednesday’s sport towards the Phoenix Suns on the Barclays Heart, Nets Head coach Jordi Fernandez supplied some updates on the damage entrance.
Earlier than Ziaire Williamswho didn’t play in Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks, is coping with a sprained left ankle each day. He was additionally dominated out of Wednesday’s sport. There isn’t any deadline for his return to court docket.
A comrade ahead Trendon Watfordwho has not performed since Dec. 16 because of left hamstring pressure, additionally remained sidelined Wednesday. Whereas there’s additionally no timetable for his return, Fernandez stated he has progressed towards contact exercises.
Williams missed 12 straight video games from December 2 to January 1 with a sprained left knee, however performed in 10 straight video games between January 2 and January 19, the place he averaged 11.6 factors, 5 .3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals. Splits .424/.396/.852.
Watford missed all the preseason and the primary 13 video games of the common season with a hamstring pressure. He made his 2024-25 debut towards the Knicks on November 17 at Madison Sq. Backyard. He averaged 8.3 factors, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13 video games off the bench this season earlier than re-aggravating his damage towards the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 16.
Fernandez introduced Tuesday that Cam Thomaswho hasn’t performed since Jan. 2 because of left hamstring pressure, is working towards his on-field actions with out contact and “all the pieces appears tremendous.”
It seems Bojan Bogdanovic, who was acquired within the Mikal Bridges commerce to the Knicks final offseason, is in the identical boat. He has but to look in a sport this season, nonetheless recovering from offseason foot surgical procedure.
“Precisely the identical as what he does – non-contact exercises on the sphere,” Fernandez stated of Bogdanovic. “He did an awesome job on the workforce, utilizing his management and veteran voice. He does job.
STILL SHORT-MANDÉ
With Williams, Watford, Thomas, Cam Johnson (proper ankle sprain), Ben Simmons (sickness), D’Angelo Russell (left hamstring damage administration) and Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture) all sidelined n Wednesday, the Nets had been pressured to face Phoenix with solely 9 gamers out there.
Brooklyn solely had eight gamers out there towards the Detroit Pistons on January 8.
Johnson, whose availability has been very restricted in current weeks, injured his ankle on Nov. 25 towards the Golden State Warriors. He was injured once more on January 2 towards the Milwaukee Bucks, and sadly, he was injured once more through the workforce’s win towards the Portland Path Blazers on January 14. The ahead completed each video games, however appeared to twist his ankle once more throughout Tuesday’s loss to the Knicks.
“He simply caught him up just a little bit…He’ll be out,” Fernandez stated of Johnson’s ankle damage. “We do not know for a way lengthy… He is in discomfort and we’d like to ensure we handle it in order that the following time he comes he can preserve it.”
The Suns performed with out Bradley Beal on Wednesday. Brooklyn used its twenty fourth beginning lineup of the season towards Phoenix, probably the most within the first 45 video games of a season in franchise historical past.
DURANT RETURNS TO BROOKLYN
Ex-Web Kevin Durant returned to Barclays Heart on Wednesday for the primary time in 2024-25. Fernandez and the Nets had been shorthanded after they confronted the Suns in Phoenix on November 27, however managed to manage the sport all through and managed to tug off an early season upset, 127-117.
“He’s a future Corridor of Famer and an awesome participant,” Fernandez stated of Durant. “It presents a whole lot of challenges on your protection and your assault. It is at all times nice to play towards a majority of these gamers as a result of it challenges your workforce. You are able to do issues that have to be completely different and provide you with completely different covers. The best way he can rating at completely different ranges and the way in which he shoots the ball, and he would not see who’s in entrance of him. His management, his psychological toughness, all these issues, it’s spectacular on each stage.
Durant, again in his previous dwelling, additionally had type phrases to share concerning the Nets group.
“I need to see this franchise succeed,” Durant stated. “What’s that 12 or 13 picks they’d?… While you have a look at the massive image, you will have younger guys getting expertise, you’re constructing belongings and getting future selection. I hope you may draft properly and construct the workforce. I believe they’re transferring in the appropriate route.
