Recent trades and ceaseless injuries have made it nearly impossible for the Nets to establish on-court continuity this season.
Nearly a week after acquiring D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis in a trade that sent Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn announced on Saturday that Cam Thomas will be sidelined until after the team returns from its upcoming six-game West Coast road trip.
After missing 13-straight games from Nov. 27 – Dec. 27 because of a left hamstring strain, Thomas suffered another in Thursday’s road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks — a game in which he finished with 24 points in just under 22 minutes. He scored 25 points in just under 25 minutes last Sunday against the Orlando Magic.
Thomas has averaged 24.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in just 19 games this season while shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.
“He started great, the two games,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Orlando, and being able to get back, both games were very efficient in the first stint he played. And now this injury is — I feel for him, because obviously we want CT with us, and he was doing a great job scoring efficiently. And you know, day-to-day, we want to have him around, and we will have him around, it’s just not on the court. But we know he’ll be back soon.”
Cam Johnson suffered a right ankle sprain in the same game and will be re-evaluated prior to the team’s West Coast swing. He has averaged a career-best 19.5 points per game in 32 appearances this season while shooting 49.6% from the field and 43.6% from deep.
The Nets will face the Nuggets, Jazz, Trail Blazers, Clippers, Lakers and Thunder between Jan. 10 and Jan. 19. After Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center, they have two more home games against the Pacers and Pistons next week before they depart.
“There’s going to be a lot of minutes to be played and a lot of shots to be taken and it’s not just one person,” Fernandez said. “And I think the guys have a great mindset and a togetherness and I think we’re ready to fill right there what we need to fill. So, excited to see some of these other guys do things that they’re not used to doing or maybe as much. So, a good challenge for all of us.”
Trendon Watford, who missed his ninth straight game on Saturday because of a left hamstring strain, has resumed individual on-court workouts. The Nets said his status will be updated next in one week.
Lewis, who suffered a left tibia fracture on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors, will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Fernandez said the forward is in good spirits and is expected to return this season.
“I talked to him the night that it happened through text message, and I just talked to him now and he’s in good spirits because it was pretty scary,” Fernandez said of Lewis. “That’s the last thing you want to see is an injury and it was the first minute and he makes a three. It’s unfortunate that this happens but he’ll be back this season, which is good, and we’re excited to help him through the process. I know he’s the one doing it, but we will support him, [and] we’ll help him. We’re excited to have him back with the rest of the group.”