When the Nets play the tail finish of this back-to-back Wednesday in Memphis, they’ll do it with out the person who’s been arguably their greatest participant.
Nic Claxton, nonetheless working his approach again to full conditioning after lacking your entire preseason with a hamstring harm, goes to be rested in opposition to the Grizzlies.
“So it’s basically part of the return to play with his minutes, back-to-back, being cautious with his body and this was part of the plan,” head coach Jordi Fernandez stated. “So he did a great job. He played those, those extra minutes at 26. Right now, we need a good rest and recovery, and then we’ll take the next step. So again, very, very happy with him.”
Claxton has elevated his minutes in every of the common season video games, coming off the bench.
Going up in opposition to Nikola Jokic in Tuesday’s 144-139 loss in OT on Tuesday, he had 16 factors, 12 rebounds and three blocks earlier than fouling out with 26:09 minutes logged.
Ben Simmons, who had been beginning at middle with Claxton and backup Day’Ron Sharpe out, sat Tuesday’s loss.
He’s anticipated again in opposition to the Grizzlies.
Trendon Watford gained’t play Wednesday however could possibly be again within the subsequent few video games.
Ziaire Williams performed his first three seasons as a Grizzlies lottery choose earlier than being acquired this offseason as a wage dump.
“I love those guys to death,” Williams stated. “I might be mendacity if I informed you I didn’t miss them. We nonetheless discuss. Shoot, I used to be texting them proper now.
“Yeah, those are my guys. The coaching staff, the players, the fans. They show me nothing but love. So I’m definitely happy to go back home a little bit and be on the other side of them for a little bit and compete with my brothers. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a fun game. It’s gonna be a tough one, but it’ll be fun.”
Williams had 18 factors on 7 of 8 capturing.
Extra encouraging, he was 4 of 5 from behind the arc and is 8-for-12 this season.
“It is [special] going back home,” Dorian Finney-Smith stated. “We want to get it for him.”
Dennis Schroder (28 factors, 14 assists) and Cam Thomas (26 factors) have topped 20-plus factors in every of the previous three video games.
They’re the primary Nets beginning backcourt to try this since James Harden and Kyrie Irving in March 2021, per Elias.
Schröder has recorded 20-plus factors and 5 or extra assists in every of the final three video games for the primary time since a career-best 4 straight in 2019-20.
