The Nets have added a brand new damage to their prolonged checklist of unavailable gamers.
With main scorer Cam Thomas and several other different rotation gamers sidelined, beginning ahead Dorian Finney-Smith was a late scratch for Saturday’s sport in opposition to the Jazz with a left calf contusion.
Second-year ahead Noah Clowney made his second began of the season place of Finney-Smith.
“I think he got hit [Thursday in Toronto] and he played through it. Obviously, it’s a precaution and we don’t want to take any risk with the discomfort and everything,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez stated earlier than a 105-94 loss. “So next man up.”
Fernandez had stated that Thomas, who hasn’t performed since Nov. 25 on account of a hamstring concern, will likely be reevaluated this weekend, however he had no replace earlier than the sport.
Ziaire Williams (knee), Trendon Watford (hamstring), De’Anthony Melton (knee) and Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) additionally remained out.
The Nets utilized their fifteenth totally different beginning lineup via 28 video games.
After spending a lot of his first skilled season within the G League, Jalen Wilson has earned a daily position within the Nets’ rotation.
Although nobody on the injury-ravaged roster has performed in each sport via their first 28 contests, Wilson is tied with veteran Cam Johnson with 27 appearances (six begins).
“It’s been a blessing, man. I’m so thankful to have this season and have the coaching staff that we have,” Wilson stated earlier than the sport. “Any young guy just wants an opportunity to play, and we all have it now, and it’s just been fun to play, fun to match with all the guys, and get to compete every night.”
The 24-year-old Wilson, the staff’s second-round choose (51st general) in 2023 out of Kansas, has averaged 9.0 factors in 25.4 minutes per sport this season after being named MVP of the Las Vegas Summer time League over the summer time.
The 6-foot-6 wing endured a tough taking pictures evening in Thursday’s win in Toronto, ending 0-for-7 from 3-point vary and 1-for-11 general, however Fernandez has inspired him to maintain firing.
“That’s something that as a player, we all love to hear,” stated Wilson, who got here in connecting on 33.6 p.c of his makes an attempt from past the arc this season.
Nic Claxton was fined $25,000 by the NBA after his ejection within the second quarter Thursday evening in Toronto for throwing the ball into the stands.
Claxton stated after the sport that the incident was “a mental lapse” and “I can’t let my emotions get to that point.”
