The NBA All-Star break can’t come quickly enough for the Nets, who enter Saturday’s road matchup against the Houston Rockets 13th in the Eastern Conference Standings at 15-33.
Barring any additional trades — which are certainly not out of the question — they should have a healthier roster over the final 28 games of the regular season. Then general manager Sean Marks can turn his attention to the 2025 NBA Draft — and Jordi Fernandez can focus on what comes next.
“He’s been great, and obviously it isn’t easy for him, either,” Nic Claxton said of his head coach. “We were, you could say, overachieving at the beginning of the year, then trades happened, things happened, it’s all part of the business. It hasn’t necessarily been easy for any of us, but we’re all figuring it out and figuring it out together.”
Cam Thomas, the Nets’ leading scorer at 24.7 points per game, hasn’t played since Nov. 25 because of a left hamstring strain, but had a follow-up MRI earlier this week that revealed appropriate healing. In a recent mass injury update, the Nets said Thomas will continue to progress in individual on-court workouts and is expected to return shortly after the All-Star break.
“Scans were clean,” Fernandez said of Thomas. ” We’re happy that everything is progressing the right way, and right now, it’s a matter of time and being patient and keep working hard and he’s doing it.”
The Nets are 8-11 in games Thomas has appeared in this season. They’re minus-2.7 with him on the court and minus-6.2 with him off it.
Noah Clowney, who suffered a left ankle sprain in Monday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings, will remain out through the All-Star break.
Cam Johnson, who hasn’t played since Jan. 21 because of a right ankle sprain, remains day-to-day. He’s already been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against Houston and is expected to be re-evaluated sometime next week. The 28-year-old has averaged a career-high 19.4 points per game this season and remains one of the top trade targets around the league.
The Nets are 14-21 in games Johnson has appeared in this season. They’re minus–3.1 with him on the court and minus-5.0 with him off it.
“He was in practice with his teammates, making sure he knew everything we’re doing,” Fernandez said of Johnson. “He was not part of practice… he’s out [against Houston], and then we’ll see after that.”
Day’Ron Sharpe exited Wednesday’ game against the Charlotte Hornets early because of left hamstring tightness but was not listed on Friday’s injury report. Ben Simmons and Trendon Watford both returned from extended absences earlier in the week.
“He went through practice, got scanned yesterday,” Fernandez said of Sharpe. “Everything looked good, but we still have to assess the discomfort. He went through it, and now we’ll see how he feels after this.”