PHILADELPHIA — Nick Claxton returned to the court Friday after missing the past three games. However, he admitted his back injury was “long-term” and would require treatment throughout the season.
“Everyone's always managing something, but I'll probably be managing this for a while,” Claxton said of the fluctuating situation.
“Well, because it was just summer. Initially, I hurt my lower back in the summer. So, my lower back has been lingering ever since and it's been frustrating for sure. It's always a different challenge. Of course, your back depends on what you do. It's tough because I'm pretty much in control of everything. But it's just another challenge. So I just have to stay focused and ready to hoop.”
According to manager Jordi Fernandez, Claxton had 12 points and eight rebounds in Friday's game against Philadelphia, but was placed on the bench due to playing time restrictions.
The center suffered a lower back sprain in a 139-114 loss to Boston on Nov. 13 and had missed the past three games.
But Claxton revealed that it only exacerbated the initial injury he sustained in the offseason, which ultimately led to him needing an epidural.
“This seems like a long-term thing, but it's going to take a while for things to get a lot better. Just strengthening my core, glutes and everything,” Claxton said.
He said he doesn't know if the minute limit will be reached.
“I really don't know. It's been a year of ups and downs. I just have to be ready and adapt to it for when I get playing time.”
Fernandez declined to say how long the Nets will have to manage Claxton's back or whether it will last the entire season.
“The team, the medical team and the performance, they've been working on this. And obviously, if he plays, it's because we believe he can play 100 percent or 200 percent,” Fernandes said. said.
Cam Thomas scored 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting with seven turnovers.
He was diagnosed with a possible lower back strain, but revealed it was also due to bad weather.
“It’s just a disease,” Thomas said. “I'm fit enough to play, so if I'm going to come out, I've just got to give it my all and play to the best of my ability. [If] I wouldn't have been able to go out there because I wasn't good enough to play. ”
Claxton and Dorian Finney-Smith were available after being promoted from questionable to possible, the latter with a sprained left ankle.
Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot) and Dayron Sharpe (left hamstring strain) were out with injuries, while Jackie Quy, Jalen Martin and Darik Whitehead were with Long Island in the G League.
Joel Embiid (knee injury management), Paul George (left knee injury) and Kyle Lowry (right hip strain) are out for the 76ers.
