While the Nets are dealing with the long-term loss of leading scorer Cam Thomas, they got some good injury news on Day’Ron Sharpe.
After being forced out of Sunday’s loss with what was initially reported as left hamstring tightness, Sharpe – the lone center behind Nic Claxton – was evaluated and has a gluteal muscle contusion, let alone given his hamstring history.
Sharpe had missed much of training camp and the first 21 consecutive games last season due to a left hamstring strain.
While Sharpe sat out the Nets’ 119-109 loss to the Raptors on Tuesday, he’s been dealing with what can only be seen as positive news every day.
“No hamstring, right? So it’s a gluteal bruise and it’s day to day. We’re not worried,” said Jordi Fernández. “And we want to make sure he’s feeling good mentally and in a good place to be ready to play. So that’s all good news, and it’s an opportunity for the next guy.”
Next in line was new big man Danny Wolf, recalled from G League assignment.
But instead of using Wolf to back up Claxton, Fernández played Noah Clowney in 34:42, with the rangy forward finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds.
“Noah has the experience right now. The opportunities will come to everyone. It’s my decision,” Fernández said. “I just went with Noah because I’ve seen him several times. That’s about it.”
Wolf logged just 2:10 in his second NBA appearance.
Ziaire Williams’ slump continues.
The forward finished with two points on 0-for-8 shooting and 0-for-7 from deep.
Williams is averaging six points in his last four games on 7-for-30 shooting and 5-for-24 from behind the arc. Worse, his defense has suffered.
“Yes, if he impacts the game defensively the same way he did last year — where he was elite in ball pressure and deflections and pick-and-roll defense — the shots will go in,” Fernández said. “You can build your confidence in a lot of different ways, and if missing shots affects you, then we’re all emotional and that can affect you, but it can’t affect your defense. So that’s my challenge to him.”
Fernández praised Claxton’s improved playmaking skills as “elite” for his position, and has now challenged the latter to improve his defensive rebounding.
Claxton had just four defensive boards on Tuesday.
“Yeah, I definitely need to be better. I’m only averaging seven or eight rebounds, and we’ve struggled as a team in that area, so I can definitely improve my game in that area,” Claxton said. “We had a conversation about that and that will of course help us get through the transition.”
The Nets had a moment of silence in honor of the passing of former Nets All-Star Michael Ray Richardson.
He died on Tuesday at the age of 70.
The Nets celebrated Biggie Night in honor of The Notorious BIG. The team handed out bobbleheads of the late rap icon and even had a life-size statue of Biggie actually playing music. Little Kim performed during halftime.
Former Nets executive Matt Riccardi was named co-interim GM by Dallas, along with Michael Finley.
#Nets #DayRon #Sharpe #good #injury #news #working #daily