{"id":116163,"date":"2025-01-05T07:10:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-05T12:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=116163"},"modified":"2025-01-05T07:10:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T12:10:05","slug":"nets-injuries-allow-tanking-easier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/01\/05\/nets-injuries-allow-tanking-easier\/","title":{"rendered":"Nets Injuries Should Allow Tanking To Become Easier"},"content":{"rendered":"

If the Brooklyn Nets truly want to tank<\/a>, it seems like it has become easier for them to do so as they have become more shorthanded due to injuries. A few weeks back, Brooklyn dealt Dennis Schroder<\/a> to the Golden State Warriors. A week ago, the Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith<\/a> and Shake Milton<\/a> to the Los Angeles Lakers. Most believe that Brooklyn isn\u2019t done moving pieces as the trade deadline is less than five weeks away.<\/p>\n

With plenty of future draft picks<\/a>, as well as the most projected cap space next offseason, the Nets could have a bright future ahead of them. The Nets injury report also has some of their better players on it, making it more likely they will lose upcoming games.<\/p>\n

(It also should be noted that Maxwell Lewis<\/a> fractured his tibia<\/a> one minute into his team debut after joining the Nets via the Finney-Smith trade. He won\u2019t be reassessed for another four weeks, and in all likelihood, will be out longer than that.)<\/p>\n

Nets Injuries Should Allow Tanking To Become Easier<\/h2>\n

D\u2019Angelo Russell Injured In Saturday\u2019s Game<\/h3>\n

The Nets played on Saturday, and they lost in blowout fashion. The Philadelphia 76ers went into the Barclays Center and easily handled Brooklyn by the score of 123-94<\/a>. The loss dropped the Nets record to 13-22, seventh-worst in the league. They also left the game more shorthanded than they started it.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/a>, acquired in the Finney-Smith trade, did not play in the second half of Saturday\u2019s outing due to a right shin contusion. While no timetable is known as of this writing of how long he could be out, it wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see the Nets be overly cautious in dealing with him.<\/p>\n

It was just Russell\u2019s third game with his new team (although not completely new, as he previously played two seasons for the Nets). In his first outing with Brooklyn, he scored 22 points and dished out eight assists off the bench. With the starters in the next two contests, Russell combined for 16 points on just 4-15 shooting.<\/p>\n

Cam Thomas Injures Hamstring Again<\/h3>\n

Throughout this season and last, Cam Thomas<\/a> has often been Brooklyn\u2019s top gun on offense. In 19 games this season, the 23-year-old is averaging 24.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He missed 13 straight outings from November 27 until December 27 with a left hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

After returning to play two games, Thomas once again sat out on Saturday. Again, a strained left hamstring has sidelined him, and it looks like he\u2019ll miss a good chunk of games. The team announced that Thomas will be re-evaluated after their six-game West Coast trip which ends on January 19. That would keep Thomas out, at minimum, for the next eight contests.<\/p>\n

Cameron Johnson Injured Ankle Thursday<\/h3>\n

Cameron Johnson<\/a> is heavily-rumored to be traded by Brooklyn by the trade deadline. Unfortunately, Johnson sustained an ankle injury<\/a> at the end of Thursday\u2019s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The 28-year-old should be back though in plenty of time before the deadline is reached. The team announced that Johnson, who missed Saturday\u2019s game, is also expected to miss at least the following two as well. Brooklyn plays the Indiana Pacers on Monday and the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, both at the Barclays Center.<\/p>\n

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#Nets<\/a> injury updates \ud83d\udc47\ud83c\udffe pic.twitter.com\/ASjbfRb4Ms<\/a><\/p>\n

— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 4, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n