MIAMI — The Nets are inching closer to getting their leading scorer back.
Cam Thomas and Ziare Williams missed Monday's 110-95 loss to the Heat, but each has taken big steps in their rehabilitation.
The status of both players during Thursday's tilt in Milwaukee is unknown, but their return should come sooner rather than later.
“Like Zaile, he's in great shape. Today they played five-on-five and did a great job,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “So let's see how they feel after that. And you know that's part of the process that they're working on now. It looks like they're getting closer.”
Thomas is averaging a team-high 24.7 points on efficient shooting splits of .461/.389/.866.
Monday marked the 11th consecutive game he missed with a left hamstring strain, during which the Nets fell to 3-8.
“If we could get Cam Thomas back and get a real half-court bucket, a real half-court scorer, that would be great. That would be good,” Nick Claxton said. “We miss him so much right now.”
Williams missed his eighth consecutive tilt with a sprained left knee.
Dorian Finney-Smith was listed as questionable on Monday night with a left calf contusion, missing his second straight game in Miami.
He also averaged 11.5 points on .571 percent shooting from deep over the last four games and missed Saturday's loss to Utah, which ended a strong losing streak.
“Yeah, I mean, we need him, just his energy and talking to the players and supporting his teammates. So it's important that he's here,” Fernandez said. “But it's important to have him on the court. Everyone feels good, I feel good, his teammates feel good, he's a tough player, he's experienced and he's going to do great things for us.” They are doing it for me.”
“Obviously, I'd like to have him on the court, but only if he feels 100 percent. He's been having some discomfort with a calf contusion, and what it's like to be injured. We all know that and there are no excuses for us. It's the next guy. And we have a lot of teammates who have played well and they're ready and he supports them. You’ll be ready.”
Jalen Martin and Darik Whitehead each played two minutes for Miami after being transferred to the G League on Long Island.
They were participating in the G League Showcase held near Orlando, Florida from December 19th to 22nd.
For the Nets, Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot), De'Anthony Melton (left anterior cruciate ligament tear), Thomas (left hamstring tear), Trendon Watford (left hamstring tear) and Williams (left knee sprain) were all out.
Miami's Jimmy Butler was demoted to absence due to a stomach illness.
Nikola Jovic (ankle) and Kevin Love (personal reasons) were available.
Temperatures in New York dipped into the single digits, but the Nets enjoyed the heat and recreation of South Florida.
Ben Simmons, who owns a house and a boat in Miami, took Keion Johnson fishing.
“The tuna came in and we had a great time,” Simmons said. “Now, as a boat owner, I find it more rewarding to take people who don't usually go fishing and watch them catch fish.
“He has fished with me before and it was fun. We had a great time. It's not your typical fishing charter, but we had some fun playing music and catching fish. It was a good time. .”
Nets owner Joe Tsai was courtside in Miami.
Tsai recently purchased a 2.9% stake in the Miami Dolphins.
