Cam Thomas’ return to the court docket took two months — and too lengthy.
The Nets’ younger guard lastly made his comeback Friday evening, after an absence that lasted 57 days however felt even longer.
“Totally. I’ve never been out this much ever, so it’s definitely an adjustment,” Thomas mentioned shortly earlier than tipoff of Friday’s 121-102 loss to the Path Blazers at Barclays Middle. “But I’m just glad to be back; ready to get on the court and play again. So, it feels good.”
Friday marked Thomas’ first motion since Jan. 2, sidelined by a strained hamstring. He went proper again into the beginning lineup and shared team-high scoring honors with 16 factors in simply 21:18, albeit taking pictures simply 7-for-17 and 0-for-4 from deep.
“Decent first game back,” Thomas mentioned.
“Obviously, missed some shots I normally make when I’m in rhythm and playing, but it’s just the nature of being on for a while and coming back and playing first game. So shots, not really worried about that; that’s going to come. But it feels good to finally finish a game and have no pain. So that’s the main thing I’m pleased with. So just got to keep building and keep going.”
Thomas had performed Jan. 2 at Milwaukee and two video games earlier in Orlando. However the issue ran deeper and had lingered longer than that.
The younger guard had solely appeared twice since first hurting his hamstring on Nov. 25, coming off the ground throughout a win at Golden State. His abbreviated comeback taught him the advantage and worth of persistence.
“Just doing everything more diligently, and taking more time, and being patient with it, not rushing. So that’s probably the main thing. But everything is about the same. Just being more diligent with it, so it doesn’t happen again. So it’s good,” mentioned Thomas, including it wasn’t a lot a case of including to his coaching routine however following it to the letter and never getting forward of himself.
“No, just same old, same old. I’m not going to overthink, overdo anything. Just do what I’ve been doing. But it was just more so just being more patient with it during the rehab. The rehab was the most important thing. But now it’s all good. I’m fine.”
Thomas was cleared for full five-on-five apply final week, and made his return in opposition to Portland.
“He got up 17 shots in 21 minutes. He got open; that’s what he does,” coach Jordi Fernández mentioned. “He still needs to keep playing to get his conditioning and get more minutes. He’s going to keep working.”
Thomas had performed simply 19 video games this season, and topped 30 factors six occasions. The entire remainder of the roster had seven 30-point outings.
“Just getting excited to be on the court to be with his teammates, and play the game of basketball. That’s what he really enjoys doing,” Fernández mentioned. “He may be himself on the court docket. And it’s been nice.
“CT has been part of the group, he’s used his voice to help the guys. And this has also been good to have him around and be around his teammates in a different way. He’s been helping us. So that’s been amazing. And now, he has a chance to be back on the court and do what he does best.”
What Thomas, a pending restricted free agent, does finest is get buckets.
The off guard is the Nets’ main scorer, averaging 24.3 factors. He’s additionally labored to fulfill Fernández’s problem to enhance his play-making and protection, mixed with personal pure gravity that can assist their struggling assault.
“It creates attention. He’s a weapon, and he’s capable of scoring in bunches,” Fernández mentioned. “And even when they double staff him, then — with the right spacing — you will get a superb shot. So the video games he’s performed, he’s made the distinction; and that’s what we count on from him.
“We also need him to be a playmaker, to be a defender. So, have a complete game. And he’s been working hard, and we’re going to push him not just to do what’s easier for him is, to get better, get 1 percent better and make him a better player and also makes us a better team.”
