TORONTO — Cam Johnson is fully practicing after being sidelined Sunday with a sore left hip and is scheduled to play in a game Wednesday in Toronto.
Forward Ziare Williams was also inching closer to returning from a questionable left knee sprain suffered against the Raptors.
But leading scorer Cam Thomas, who only returned on Sunday after missing 13 games with a hamstring injury, will be out as he deals with the same injury.
Thomas continued to perform well, posting 25 points, six boards and six assists, but was depleted towards the end of his 25 minutes off the bench, shooting just 6-of-18.
“Credit to CT and credit to the coaches who helped him prepare. We knew he was ready,” said coach Jordi Fernandez. “Obviously, towards the end, with his conditioning and getting used to playing longer minutes — he was 25, 26 the other day — his efficiency went down. But in the first half he was very, very, very It was good. So I want to see him continue to grow and get better, and he'll get there.”
The Nets grabbed the break without seriously injuring Johnson.
The forward left with 3:42 left in the third quarter Sunday and did not return.
After the Nets went on a 22-4 run to end a 102-101 loss, Fernandez criticized the team's veteran leadership.
Johnson's shooting and calm demeanor will be missed, but the Nets are glad he was able to avoid major injury.
“I'm fine. We took care of it. We worked hard in practice and felt pretty good,” Johnson said. “Yeah, that's a problem I've been dealing with all my life. There's nothing weird about it. It's not abnormal. Sometimes things happen. My left hip was a little too tight. But ,i'm good.”
Williams has missed the past 11 games with a sprained left knee, but appears on the verge of returning to the court Wednesday or Thursday in Milwaukee.
“Zaire was good. He did what he had to do. He looks good. He's in a good place and we'll see him soon,” Fernandes said.
“I'm doing great, dude. I'm getting better,” Williams said. “I’ve been playing more and pursuing that.” [and] I'm sweating. So we arrived at the finish line. ”
His possible return will come at the right time.
The Nets just released 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith and will need Williams' defensive energy.
“It was great. [It’s] I was disappointed not to be able to play, but I was just trying to take it one day at a time,” Williams said. “I stay positive through it all and do everything I can to be even better than I am on the court.”
“I've had a lot of support through the players, coaches and staff. They've been great and made this process so easy and stress-free that I'm looking forward to coming back. I'm excited. “
Trendon Watford was sidelined with a left hamstring strain.
