The Nets will continue to be shorthanded in the backcourt for the foreseeable future.
The Nets took a big hit Sunday by trading Dennis Schroder to the Warriors, but are waiting on guards Cam Thomas and Zhaire Williams to recover as they deal with lower-body injuries.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez did not provide a schedule, but said the two are “progressing very well” and have been able to start shooting in practice while adhering to no-contact rules. Ta.
“They're on the court and that's a good sign. It also helps give the rest of the group the energy to see them on the court and be basketball players again.”Wednesday Fernandes said after practice.
“They're able to make shots and that's all they're doing right now. It's one step at a time. They're starting to make sure their bodies are comfortable with certain things and they're making shots on the court. They're going to start hitting, because they still need touch and all those things. …As I said, they're progressing, they're good and they're going to continue to take steps. Dew.”
Thomas has missed eight games since suffering a left hamstring strain against the Warriors on Nov. 25.
“I'm just doing whatever the performance team is supposed to do. It's still early days,” Thomas said of the rehabilitation process on Dec. 5. “I'm just doing whatever they made me do, just a little bit here and there. But it's okay.”
Williams has been dealing with a left knee injury and has missed five games.
Trendon Watford will miss Thursday's game against Toronto after leaving Monday's game against Cleveland with a left hamstring injury.
It was the same hamstring that caused Watford to miss 13 games in pre-season.
Fernandez said he wasn't sure if the specific moment led to the injury, but Watford would be evaluated after the Raptors game.
“No, it's not to my knowledge when that happened. I'm sure our medical team knows, but they're currently dealing with it. So we'll be getting that assessment.” '' Fernandez said.
Without Thomas and Williams, both Keon Johnson and Shake Milton will carry a greater burden for the Nets.
It's grown even more after the loss of Schroder, and Fernandez will be needed to play alongside new lead point guard Ben Simmons, although the continued adjustment hasn't been “easy” for the pair. He said it would be.
“I think it's a work in progress when you have to adapt to a new role and play more minutes,” Fernandez said. “I think Sheikh has been in that position before, but we also use him as a second-side ball handler and he's done a good job.
“If he has to be a point guard only now, he can't pass the ball to himself. So I put them in different places and it's not easy. But… What I like about them is that they're trying to do their best. They're giving it their all and I have nothing but good things to say about these two guys.”
