TORONTO — After being pressured out of Sunday’s loss with left hip soreness, Cam Johnson practiced totally and might be accessible Wednesday in Toronto.
Ahead Ziaire Williams was inching towards a return as nicely from his sprained left knee, listed as questionable towards the Raptors.
However main scorer Cam Thomas — who simply returned Sunday after lacking 13 straight with a hamstring harm — might be held out to handle the identical harm.
Thomas had come out robust and had 25 factors, six boards and 6 assists, however shot 6-for-18 and wore down towards the top of his 25 minutes off the bench.
“Credit to CT, and credit to the coaches that’ve been working with him to get him ready. You could tell that he was ready,” coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “Obviously, towards the end, his conditioning and getting used to playing higher minutes — he was at 25, 26 the other day — the efficiency went down. But the first half was very, very, very good. So I want to see him continue to grow and get better, and he’ll get there.”
The Nets caught a break by avoiding any severe harm to Johnson.
The ahead departed with 3:42 left within the third quarter Sunday, and didn’t return.
After the Nets acquired outscored 22-4 to shut the 102-101 collapse, Fernandez was vital of the workforce’s veteran management.
Johnson’s capturing and calm demeanor was sorely missed, and having him keep away from main harm is a big raise for the Nets.
“I’m good. We’ve been taking care of it. Full go in practice and feel pretty good,” Johnson stated. “Yeah, it’s just stuff I’ve been dealing with. It’s nothing crazy. It’s not out of the ordinary. Sometimes stuff happens. Left hip just tightened up on me a little too much there. But I’m fine.”
Williams has missed the previous 11 video games with a left knee sprain, however seems getting ready to a return to the court docket, both Wednesday or Thursday in Milwaukee.
“Ziaire was good. He’s done what he’s supposed to do. He looks good. He’s in a good place. And soon enough, we’ll see him,” Fernandez stated.
“It’s doing good, man. It’s doing better,” Williams stated. “I’ve been playing a lot more and getting after it [and] breaking a sweat. So right at the finish line.”
His potential return comes at an opportune time.
The Nets simply dealt away 3-and-D ahead Dorian Finney-Smith and can want Williams’ defensive power.
“It’s been good. [It’s] been frustrating not being out there, but just been trying to win the day, one day at a time,” Williams stated. “Stay positive through it all, do whatever I can to get back and be even better than I was on the court.”
“Been having a lot of support through the guys, coaches, staff. It’s been great, and they made this process real easy and stress-free for me so I’m looking forward to coming back. I’m excited.”
Trendon Watford is out with a left hamstring pressure.
