While the Nets are dealing with the long-term loss of top scorer Cam Thomas, they did get some good injury news regarding Day’Ron Sharpe.
After being forced out of Sunday’s loss with what was initially listed as left hamstring tightness, Sharpe — the only center behind Nic Claxton — was evaluated and has a glute contusion, much less concerning considering his hamstring history.
Sharpe had missed much of training camp and the first 21 straight games last season with a left hamstring strain.
While Sharpe sat out the Nets’ 119-109 loss to the Raptors Tuesday, he’s day-to-day with what can only be viewed as positive news.
“No hamstring, right? So, it’s a glute contusion and he’s day-to-day. We’re not concerned,” Jordi Fernández said. “And we want to make sure he feels good and mentally in a good place to be ready to play. So, that’s all good news, and it’s an opportunity for the next man up.”
That next man up was rookie big man Danny Wolf, recalled from G League assignment.
But rather than use Wolf to back up Claxton, Fernández played Noah Clowney 34:42, the willowy forward finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds.
“Noah’s got, right now the experience. The opportunities will come for everybody. It’s my decision,” Fernández said. “I just went with Noah because I’ve seen him multiple times. That’s pretty much it.”
Wolf logged just 2:10 in his second NBA outing.
Ziaire Williams’ slump continues.
The forward finished with two points on 0-of-8 shooting, and 0-for-7 from deep.
Williams is averaging six points in his last four games on 7-of-30 shooting, and 5-of-24 from behind the arc. Worse, his defense has suffered.
“Yeah, if he impacts the game defensively the same way he did last year — which he was elite at pressuring the ball and deflections and pick-and-roll defense — the shots are going to go in,” Fernández said. “You can build your confidence in many different ways, and if missing shots affects you, which I understand we’re all emotional and it can affect you, but it cannot affect your defense. So that’s my challenge for him.”
Fernández praised Claxton’s improved playmaking as “elite” for his position, now challenging the latter to improve his defensive rebounding.
Claxton had just four defensive boards Tuesday.
“Yeah I got to be better for sure. I’m only averaging around like seven or eight rebounds, and we’ve been struggling as a team in that area, so I can definitely step up my game in that department,” Claxton said. “We had a conversation about that, and that will obviously help us get out in the transition.”
The Nets had a moment of silence to honor the passing of former Nets All-Star Michael Ray Richardson.
He died Tuesday at the age of 70.
The Nets celebrated Biggie Night in honor of The Notorious B.I.G. The team gave out bobbleheads of the late rap icon, and even had a life-sized statue of Biggie that actually plays music. Lil’ Kim performed at halftime.
Former Nets executive Matt Riccardi was named co-interim GM by Dallas, along with Michael Finley.
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