When the Nets play the tail end of this back-to-back Wednesday in Memphis, they’ll do it without the man who’s been arguably their best player.
Nic Claxton, still working his way back to full conditioning after missing the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, is going to be rested against the Grizzlies.
“So it’s basically part of the return to play with his minutes, back-to-back, being cautious with his body and this was part of the plan,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “So he did a great job. He played those, those extra minutes at 26. Right now, we need a good rest and recovery, and then we’ll take the next step. So again, very, very happy with him.”
Claxton has increased his minutes in each of the regular season games, coming off the bench.
Going up against Nikola Jokic in Tuesday’s 144-139 loss in OT on Tuesday, he had 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks before fouling out with 26:09 minutes logged.
Ben Simmons, who had been starting at center with Claxton and backup Day’Ron Sharpe out, sat Tuesday’s loss.
He’s expected back against the Grizzlies.
Trendon Watford won’t play Wednesday but could be back in the next few games.
Ziaire Williams played his first three seasons as a Grizzlies lottery pick before being acquired this offseason as a salary dump.
“I love those guys to death,” Williams said. “I would be lying if I told you I didn’t miss them. We still talk. Shoot, I was texting them right now.
“Yeah, those are my guys. The coaching staff, the players, the fans. They show me nothing but love. So I’m definitely happy to go back home a little bit and be on the other side of them for a little bit and compete with my brothers. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a fun game. It’s gonna be a tough one, but it’ll be fun.”
Williams had 18 points on 7 of 8 shooting.
More encouraging, he was 4 of 5 from behind the arc and is 8-for-12 this season.
“It is [special] going back home,” Dorian Finney-Smith said. “We want to get it for him.”
Dennis Schroder (28 points, 14 assists) and Cam Thomas (26 points) have topped 20-plus points in each of the past three games.
They’re the first Nets starting backcourt to do that since James Harden and Kyrie Irving in March 2021, per Elias.
Schröder has recorded 20-plus points and five or more assists in each of the last three games for the first time since a career-best four straight in 2019-20.
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