Nolan Traore will have to hold off on making any significant impact following what many considered his standout performance of the season so far.
Unfortunately, Traore (illness) and Cam Thomas (left ankle sprain) won’t be participating in the game against the Clippers set for Sunday in Los Angeles.
Both Traore and fellow rookie Egor Demin have shown promise, hinting at the potential that led the team to draft Traore eighth overall from BYU earlier in the season. Despite this, Traore has only recently begun to find his footing in the league.
In a challenging double-overtime game against the Celtics on Friday, the 19-year-old Traore, a first-round pick from last year, set new career benchmarks with 36 minutes and 21 points.
He played again in the second half, taking over for Demin.
“Nolan, just 19, made a significant contribution and I think he performed admirably,” said coach Jordi Fernandez.
The coach pointed out Traore’s knack for getting into the paint and his agility as reasons for the optimism about his future role with the team.
However, he acknowledged that Traore has some room for growth, saying, “He needs to be a voice on the floor, and he will progressively become that.” Fernandez expressed confidence in Traore’s potential.
Traore’s performance didn’t go unnoticed by his veteran teammates either.
“He was able to penetrate and finish effectively,” noted Michael Porter Jr. “He really steadied us during the crucial stages. He knocked down some critical layups and utilized his speed well. It was great to see him gaining such valuable experience.”
Nick Claxton emphasized the significance of Traore being on the court during key moments.
“Having him out there was huge,” Claxton remarked. “It’s good to see him contribute and influence the game positively.”
Claxton further highlighted Traore’s ability to create opportunities, stating that they’ll need that caliber of play moving forward.
As for Thomas’s situation, it’s indicative of a tough season, with his future with the Nets being uncertain as the trade deadline approaches on February 5.
In Traore’s absence, Ben Saraf is anticipated to step up.
On a different note, Claxton, who was initially on the injury report after hurting his right pinky finger, was cleared and ready for play, having completed the recent match.
Should Claxton be unable to play on Sunday in Los Angeles, Dayron Sharp may step in for his fourth start this season, while Noah Clowney’s status remains uncertain due to back issues.
