The last thing the Nets needed in free fall was to lose a key contributor.
However, the Nets, who have lost 11 of their past 14 games, will be without backup center Dayron Sharpe.
He was diagnosed with hyperextension of his left knee, which he suffered during the team's 134-127 loss to the Blazers on Sunday, and will be re-examined in about two weeks.
Drafted 29th overall by the Nets in the 2021 draft, Sharp has emerged as a strong tag partner with starting center Nic Claxton, giving head coach Jacques Vaughn the versatility to cover the position and all 48 minutes. Ta.
Sharp is averaging 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 16.0 minutes per game.
His rebounds and blocks are second-most among eligible players on the team.
The Nets' rim protection has been a rare bright spot for a team that has largely underperformed this season.
They allow just 46.2 points per game in the paint, tied for fourth-fewest in the NBA.
The recent turmoil hasn't slowed them down, allowing the fourth-fewest points per game in the paint over the last 14 games.
“There are some things you can do when Dayron is at center compared to when Nick is at center,” Vaughn said before Sunday's game and Sharpe's injury.
Now, that's another hole to fill for the Nets' Bourne, who traveled overseas to Paris for Thursday's matchup with the Cavaliers.
That likely means Claxton will be used more frequently, making Bourne less adaptable and unpredictable.
Claxton averages 12.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 28.1 minutes, but rarely plays for long periods of time.
Vaughn liked to constantly rotate Claxton and Sharpe after only a few minutes in order to keep both Fresh and his opponents off balance.
Will Claxton, who has a history of injuries himself, be able to play more minutes? He recently made a strong case.
Claxton played 33 minutes, 55 seconds in the Nets' 124-115 win over the Thunder on Friday, often staying on the court for long periods of time, and played 36 minutes, 15 seconds in Sunday's loss.
These were Claxton's third and fourth highest court minutes all season.
“I think I'm in better shape now than I was, especially last year,” Claxton said after Friday's win. “Last road trip I had a cold and didn't feel very well. Tonight I felt like myself and my energy was in the right place and the team needed it.”
The team will need it even more from now on.
However, he will not be able to participate in the entire match. After Claxton, who could fill the void?
The most obvious option is the one fans have been clamoring to see more of in recent weeks.
Noah Clowney, drafted 21st overall by the Nets in June, is playing in the G League with the Long Island Nets.
He had 27 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, all career highs, in his team's win over the Maine Celtics on Monday.
In 19 games between the G League Showcase and the regular season, Clowney averaged 14.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
He appeared in two NBA games with the Nets, scoring 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 24 minutes, 04 seconds, including an overtime run in the team's 144-122 loss to the Bucks on December 27. did.
The Nets rested most of the players who contributed to the game, and were fined $100,000 as a result.
Clowney is more of a traditional power forward, but is listed at 6 feet, 9 inches, the same height as Sharpe.
And in the Dec. 27 loss, Claxton was rested and Sharpe started in his place, so Clowney filled in at center after Sharpe went to the bench.
Vaughn could also choose to use only the small-ball lineup when Claxton needs to rest. Dorian Finney-Smith is one of the team's best defenders, but he's only 6-7 and will most likely slide into the center position.
However, the Nets' wings already struggle to defend strongly against opponents on the perimeter, and moving one inside against larger opponents likely won't produce positive results.
Harry Giles is also available as a substitute at center, but he has only played 59 minutes in total this season.
Bourne's team is in crisis, and he has lost half of his greatest power.
