Nets Notes: Claxton, Mann, Thomas, Losing Streak
Nets center Nic Claxton played with a bandage on his right pinky finger Sunday night as he awaits the results of an MRI, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. He suffered the injury in Friday’s loss to Boston, and the medical imaging was conducted Saturday morning.
Claxton played 24 minutes on Sunday, finishing with six points, six rebounds and a pair of steals. According to Lewis, he was hit on the right hand by Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard midway through the third quarter as they were chasing a blocked shot. Claxton grimaced in pain and grabbed his hand, but he was able to remain in the game.
“He’s got some discomfort, but I really give him credit,” coach Jordi Fernandez told reporters before the game. “He finished (Friday’s) game, and then he’s willing to be out there. Obviously, we care about his health, and everything is fine. Everything’s fine. So, credit to him for wanting to play (and) compete with his teammates.”
There’s more on the Nets:
- Terance Mann got a tribute video from the Clippers and a warm welcome from L.A. fans as he returned for the first time since being traded last February, Lewis states in the same story. Mann spent five-and-a-half seasons with the Clippers, who selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft, and has fond memories of the team and the Inuit Dome. “Yeah, I mean, The Wall, I love The Wall. You know, I was the one that introduced The Wall to the world,” Mann said. “So, I feel like I’ve got a special bond with those guys up there and everybody up there. Yeah, man, you know I love the fans, they love me. Some part of me will always be a Clipper.”
- Cam Thomas sat out Sunday’s game with a sprained left ankle and it’s uncertain how much time he might miss, Lewis adds. “He’s sore. He’ll be out (Sunday) and we hope that he’ll be back soon. We don’t know exactly when,” Fernandez said. “So, going through the proper work and making him feel better and then have him back on the court when we can.”
- The Nets lost by 37 points in L.A., four days after falling to New York by 54 points. With the team on a five-game losing streak, Fernandez is concerned about his players’ level of competitiveness, per C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News (subscription required). The stats were ugly all around on Sunday as Brooklyn shot 33.7% from the field, committed 17 turnovers and allowed countless easy shots in the paint. “You can lose, and you can be a loser,” Fernandez said. “So, for 18 minutes, we lost and we were competitive. And for 30, we were losers. So, we have to decide what we want to be and who we want to be.”
Nets Notes: MPJ, Claxton, Traore, Fernandez, Losing Streak
Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. said a few days ago that he was still dealing with the lingering effects of an MCL sprain in his knee, which he suffered on January 7 against Orlando, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post (subscriber link). Porter, who has been a popular name in trade rumors this season, also acknowledged that opposing defenses are making things more difficult for him.
“Yeah, as the season has gone on, teams are more and more just glued to me and willing to bring a second and third defender on some of the actions, into the vicinity,” Porter said. “But I can do a better job of getting good setups and figuring out how to get easier looks; that’s really on me.
“And I actually was dealing with a MCL, a little sprain against Orlando. I got tangled up with Wendell Carter [Jr.] and my knee has been a little sore, so I feel like I haven’t been as explosive on some of my movements to get myself open. And that’s kind of getting better. So hopefully, as that heals up all the way, I can get back to creating some good separation.”
Porter has been rested twice over the past two-plus weeks on the front end of back-to-backs, Lewis observes, but head coach Jordi Fernandez downplayed the severity of the sprain, noting that the 27-year-old has been otherwise able to play through the knee issue. Like Porter, Fernandez said he’s working on ways to find the team’s leading scorer easier looks.
“Obviously teams game-plan for him,” said Fernandez. “I can help him a little bit more, set him up in different ways that he can free himself up a little bit.
“I’ve just got to keep helping him a little bit more with setups how defenses are guarding him; they’re switching out. He’s going to have to slip earlier screens and finish cuts and get the shot on the second side, instead of chasing all the time … [But] yeah, happy with him. He’s [been] impressive; and we need him, because he creates a lot of attention.”
Here’s more from Brooklyn:
- Starting center Nic Claxton underwent an MRI on his right pinkie finger on Saturday, but evidently the scans didn’t reveal anything serious, as he isn’t listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday’s game at the Clippers, as Dan Martin of The New York Post relays. While Claxton is expected to be active, fellow starter Noah Clowney is doubtful due to back soreness, and Cam Thomas (left ankle sprain) and Nolan Traore (illness) have been ruled out. Rookie Traore, still just 19, had the best game of his young NBA career in Friday’s double-overtime loss to Boston, Martin notes, finishing with career highs of 21 points and 37 minutes. “You can show him that he belongs here,” Claxton said of the French guard. “I remember when I first started getting those clutch-time minutes. It is a good feeling and being able to impact the game. … He did a lot of good things for us: Getting downhill and getting in the paint, spraying it out, making some good plays… Going forward, we’re definitely going to need that level of play from him.”
- The Nets were eviscerated by the Knicks on Wednesday, per Lewis, losing by 54 points while managing just 66 of their own, the lowest total in the league this season. While Fernandez took accountability for the team’s recent stretch of poor play — Brooklyn has lost nine of its past 10 games, including four straight — the players disagreed that the coaching staff was responsible for Wednesday’s drubbing, according to Peter Botte of The New York Post. “I mean, we’ve got to be better on our own, too,” Clowney said. “I’m not getting into the politics of what I think about this or that. As far as coaching goes, for me I felt like the little stuff that we said we wanted to do, we didn’t do.”
- There was speculation that the Nets might’ve been playing themselves out of a top pick in the 2026 draft after they went 6-4 in December, but they’ve been sliding down the standings ever since and things won’t get any easier during their five-game road trip, Martin writes. In addition to the surging Clippers, Brooklyn plays at Phoenix, Denver, Utah and Detroit, with four of those teams at least in play-in territory.
Injury Notes: Gordon, Davis, Gafford, Claxton, Towns
Bad news for Nuggets fans: Aaron Gordon reinjured his right hamstring strain on Friday in Milwaukee and was eventually ruled out for the second half, the team announced (Twitter link).
Gordon was playing on both ends of a back-to-back for the second time since he initially strained his hamstring in November, an injury which caused him to miss six weeks.
“I feel good. Better than I’ve felt in a long time,” Gordon said after Thursday’s win at Washington, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (Twitter link).
The veteran power forward appeared to tweak his hamstring in the final minute of the second quarter (Twitter video link via DNVR Sports). He finished with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 16 minutes.
While Gordon was available, multiple other key players were held out Friday, including Jamal Murray (right hamstring inflammation, left hip inflammation), Peyton Watson (right and left ankle sprains), and Jonas Valanciunas, who returned to action on Thursday after missing just over three weeks with a right calf strain.
Here are some more injury updates from around the NBA:
- Mavericks big man Anthony Davis, who is on the mend from ligament damage in his left hand, has begun light on-court work while wearing a protective glove, reports Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com. Davis is expected to miss several weeks, though no firm timetable has been given for his return.
- As Afseth writes in another story for Dallas Hoops Journal, Mavericks center Daniel Gafford will return to action on Saturday against the Lakers after missing four games with a right ankle sprain that has given the 27-year-old big man issues throughout the 2025/26 campaign. Dwight Powell will continue to start in the middle even with Gafford back, however, as Dallas looks for its fifth straight win.
- Nets center Nic Claxton injured his pinkie finger in Friday’s double-overtime loss to Boston and will undergo imaging on Saturday, he told reporters, including Brian Lewis of The New York Post (Twitter link). Claxton was asked about being involved in trade rumors prior to Friday’s game and if he’s had any conversations with general manager Sean Marks, tweets Lewis. “I’ve almost been traded before,” Claxton said. “Sean, he has an open-door policy. You can always go talk to him whenever you want; but that’s for my agents to take care of. I’m just here as long as I’m here.”
- Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns is dealing with thoracic back spasms and is questionable for Saturday’s game in Philadelphia, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). The five-time All-Star has appeared in 41 of New York’s 44 games to this point in the season.
Latest On Michael Porter Jr.
Citing a “trusted league source,” John Hollinger of The Athletic reported over the weekend that Michael Porter Jr. is a “lock” to be traded by the Nets ahead of the deadline. Other NBA insiders haven’t been so bold, however.
In his latest Substack story, Marc Stein acknowledges some people around the league think the Nets will take a “sell high” approach to Porter’s breakout season and move him by February 5. But Stein continues to hear “push-back” about Brooklyn’s desire to trade Porter prior to the offseason, and says he’s not sure what the Nets will do.
Speaking to Justin Shackil on Yes Network (Twitter video link), Michael Scotto of HoopsHype also expressed some doubt about the possibility of Porter being involved in an in-season trade.
“Right now, a lot of teams across the league — more contending teams — have called, just to get a sense of where he’s at,” Scotto said. “But one thing I will tell you and the viewers as well, Justin, is that the Nets, looking ahead towards next season, they’re going to want to take a step forward. Michael Porter Jr. could very well be a part of that with the way he’s playing. And he’s still young, in his prime.
“So I would temper expectations on a trade, at least at this point. But certainly, he’s gained more interest around the league and I don’t think anybody has helped his value more than him given the All-Star production and efficiency he has shown this season so far.”
The Warriors and Bucks are among the teams that have inquired about Porter since the start of January, per Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, but the Nets haven’t made it known they actually want to move the sharpshooting forward. Brooklyn’s starting point in talks for Porter is a “valuable first-round pick,” according Siegel, who says even if that asking price is met it doesn’t necessarily mean the team will trade him.
Scotto also discussed Nic Claxton, whose descending contract holds some appeal to rival teams. Scotto reported that the Pacers and Warriors are among the teams who have expressed interest in the seventh-year center, but also said the Nets consider the 26-year-old part of their future.
Siegel has heard similarly, writing that the Nets value Claxton and would want a minimum of first-round pick and “players of value” in return who could help expedite the team’s rebuild.
Nets Notes: Young, Sharpe, Claxton, Williams
The Nets were reportedly among the teams said to appeal to Trae Young before he was officially traded to the Wizards. While Brooklyn didn’t reciprocate that interest, it’s a positive sign for the team that a four-time All-Star like Young was intrigued by the possibility of joining the Nets in the middle of their rebuild, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
As Lewis observes, there were some rumblings about how attractive the Nets would be viewed by star players after the “big three” of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden all left Brooklyn. Mikal Bridges‘ exit to the crosstown rival Knicks only amplified those rumors, but evidently none of those factors deterred Young.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Backup center Day’Ron Sharpe made the most of his opportunities as a starter over the past three games with Nic Claxton missing the first two contests due to personal reasons, per C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News. Although the Nets came up short in Wednesday’s overtime loss to Orlando, Sharpe did many of the little things that contribute to winning, including a key offensive rebound at the end of regulation that directly led to an Egor Demin game-tying three. “Yeah, he’s been fighting,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Played really hard, helped us make winning plays. Everybody remembers the shot, but that rebound for the kick out was amazing. So, also proud of him, and I think his minutes have been valuable and his growth has been out there, so I’m very happy to see that.”
- As Holmes writes in another story, Sharpe could cut into Claxton’s minutes due to his impressive play, but Fernandez views that as a good problem for the Nets. “I think it’s very good because they’ve both been part of us getting better, and they’re both a big part of why our defense has been very good for a big stretch,” Fernandez said. “When both Nic and Day’Ron have good games defensively, we’re very good as a team defensively.” As expected, Claxton will return to the starting five on Friday vs. Los Angeles, tweets Lewis.
- Forward Ziaire Williams was a DNP-CD for the final two games of 2025, but he has played some of his best basketball of the season since the calendar flipped to 2026, according to Howie Kustoy of The New York Post. Fernandez wants the former lottery pick to be a consistent difference-maker on the defensive end. “He’s just a great positive energy to have around,” Fernandez said. “He shows up and works every day with a smile on his face. He competes at a high level. He’s about the right things. He’s very young. He’s improved in many things and he gives us that intensity defensively to change games. All those things mean a lot to us as a group. This is the Ziaire that we want, that we need, that we want him to sustain and we want him to get better.”
Siegel’s Latest: Sabonis, Raptors, Bucks, Warriors, Nets, White, Lakers
After buying low on Brandon Ingram at last season’s trade deadline, could the Raptors seek out a similar move this February? According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Kings center Domantas Sabonis is one name that has been continually linked to Toronto. The Raptors’ interest in Sabonis was first reported in December by Jake Fischer and has since been corroborated by several other outlets.
Malik Monk is another player who has intrigued Toronto in the past, Siegel writes, noting that Kings general manager Scott Perry drafted current Raptors veterans RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley when he was in New York’s front office. While there’s no indication that the two teams have seriously discussed such a deal involving those four players, Siegel suggests that sort of framework could be worth keeping an eye on.
If Toronto does end up moving Barrett in that sort of bigger move, he’d likely draw interest from several teams besides Sacramento, Siegel writes, given the lack of high-level wing talent on the trade market. The Bucks, for example, expressed interest in Barrett last season, per Siegel.
Here’s more from Siegel’s latest NBA rumor round-up:
- The Warriors have internally discussed many possible center trade targets, including Myles Turner and Bobby Portis of the Bucks, per Siegel. A number of teams around the NBA are curious about Milwaukee’s plans for Portis, Siegel continues, with the Hornets and Suns also considered possible suitors, perhaps in multi-team scenarios.
- Suns guard Jalen Green is among the players the Bucks have inquired on, but Phoenix isn’t interested in moving him at this point, says Siegel. Given that Green has only played two games this season due to hamstring issues, the Suns view him as a sort of trade-deadline addition themselves, Siegel explains.
- Although the Nets are fielding inquiries on players like Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, they aren’t actively looking to move them. In order for Brooklyn to consider a deal involving either player, the starting point for a package would have to be a “true” unprotected first-round pick, Siegel writes.
- The Mavericks and the Clippers are among the teams with interest in Bulls guard Coby White, sources tell Siegel, who reiterates that the Timberwolves also remain interested and notes that some league insiders have speculated that the Hawks could be a destination for White in the event of a Trae Young trade.
- With higher-level options like Herbert Jones potentially out of reach, players like Bulls forward Isaac Okoro, Kings guard Keon Ellis, and Nets wing Haywood Highsmith are considered more realistic possibilities for a Lakers team seeking defensive help, according to Siegel. Mavericks forward Naji Marshall is another possible trade candidate to add to that group if Dallas commits to becoming a seller.
Scotto’s Latest: Trae, Risacher, AD, Zubac, Pacers, Celtics, Cavs
The Bucks, Timberwolves, and Clippers are among the teams that are monitoring Trae Young‘s situation along with Washington, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
While Dallas doesn’t appear to have any interest in the Hawks‘ point guard, the Mavericks are among the clubs that have called to inquire about former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, league sources tell Scotto. However, the Hawks have been opposed to including either Risacher or their top 2026 first-rounder (the most favorable of the Bucks/Pelicans picks) in any trade discussions involving big man Anthony Davis.
If Atlanta and Dallas do pursue a deal involving Davis, the Mavericks would likely be seeking expiring contracts like those belonging to Kristaps Porzingis ($30.7MM) and Luke Kennard ($11MM), according to Scotto, who notes that Hawks senior VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham is close with Davis dating back to their time together in New Orleans.
Here’s more from Scotto’s latest rumor round-up:
- Although Ivica Zubac has drawn significant interest from potential suitors, the Clippers don’t appear inclined to become deadline sellers, especially after their recent run of seven wins in eight games. Earlier in the season, there was a sense that it would take at least two first-round picks for L.A. to consider parting with Zubac, Scotto writes, adding that the Pacers and Celtics both expressed interest in the big man. Those two clubs were previously linked to the Clippers center.
- In addition to Zubac, the Pacers have checked in on Nic Claxton of the Nets, Yves Missi of the Pelicans, Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks, and Walker Kessler of the Jazz as they seek out a long-term answer at center, league sources tell Scotto.
- The Celtics, meanwhile, have been unwilling to attach a first-round pick to Anfernee Simons to move off his contract, Scotto writes. Presumably, the Celtics would be more open to that idea in a deal that nets them a quality player, but not in a pure salary-dump trade for luxury tax purposes. Scotto goes on to say that Boston isn’t looking to take back multiyear salary in any Simons trade, so if the team were exploring a deal with a trade partner like the Nets, Day’Ron Sharpe ($6.25MM team option for 2026/27) and Ziaire Williams (ditto) would hold far more appeal than Terance Mann, who is owed $31.5MM over the two seasons after this one.
- The Cavaliers have rebuffed inquiries on their core players, but teams around the NBA – cognizant of Cleveland’s unfavorable cap/tax situation – are continuing to monitor the situation to see if that stance changes. According to Scotto, the belief among executives is that if the Cavs do decide to move someone like Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen, it’s more likely to happen during the offseason than in the next month.
Nets Notes: Thomas, Porter Jr., Claxton, Sharpe, Traore
When Cam Thomas signed his qualifying offer with the Nets in early September, it guaranteed that he would become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Rockets star Kevin Durant believes whichever team signs him this offseason will get a superior talent, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets.
“I feel like Cam has a bright future. It just takes somebody to believe in his talent and his skill,” Durant said. “Scorers and guys that score the basketball at a high rate, they get taken for granted in this league a bit. We’re so used to loving defenders, play-makers, and guys that can be connectors. Sometimes scorers get taken for granted.
“Hopefully, somebody takes a chance on Cam and gives him what he deserves and puts the ball in his hands and builds around him and lets him grow into a player. What is he, 24? He’s still got a lot of time in this league to keep getting better. Hopefully a team puts some trust in him.”
Thomas, who was rested against the Wizards on Friday, is averaging 21.4 points per game in 11 appearances this season.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Brooklyn fell to 0-6 this season when Michael Porter Jr. doesn’t play. The Nets’ leading scorer sat out the second game of a back-to-back due to an illness as Washington blew them out by 20 points. They shot just 39.5% overall and 6-of-29 from three-point range while dropping their third straight. Dan Devine of Yahoo Sports takes a closer look at whether the Nets should deal Porter for assets prior to the trade deadline.
- Nic Claxton also didn’t suit up on Friday due to personal reasons and that led to expanded minutes for Day’Ron Sharpe. The latter was one of the few bright spots on Friday as he contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in his first start this season. “One thing we know is Day’Ron is going to play extremely hard,” coach Jordi Fernandez said, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “And going from the minutes he’s played to pretty much 30 minutes, your body has to adjust to that. So it’s a great opportunity for him… but also being careful with that.” The Nets hold a $6.25MM club option on Sharpe’s contract for next season.
- Fernandez wasn’t happy with rookie Nolan Traore‘s shot selection on Thursday against the Rockets. Traore took five three-pointers and made one. He finished 1-for-8 from the field. “I need him to use his superpowers and touch the paint. And it felt like he got caught shooting the unders. And a lot of times it didn’t go … because that’s what they want you to do,” Fernández said. “And if you keep shooting and missing, then sometimes, if you keep doing the same thing and seeing the same results, that’s the definition of insanity. And I know how good he is.” Traore didn’t attempt a three on Friday while scoring 12 points in 26 minutes.
Nets Notes: Porter, Thomas, Claxton, Highsmith
The Nets had a three-game winning streak snapped by the Warriors on Monday but they’re garnering attention with their improved play and young talent, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News writes.
Before giving up 120 points to Golden State, Brooklyn had the No. 1 ranked defense in the league during December. The Nets notched wins over Toronto, Philadelphia and Minnesota during the mini-streak.
“Looks like it’s working,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I watched the Minnesota game, that was impressive. And I don’t know, I just think that every time we’ve played them over the last couple years, they’ve been energetic, well-organized, well-coached. So, you know, they came to our place last year and beat us. We came here last year, and it was like 24-to-6 right out of the gate. We had to fight to win at the end, so I just think they’re doing a great job. Jordi (Fernandez) is doing a great job, his staff, player development, in the face of obviously a rebuild, but seven out of 10 wins, best defense in the league in December.”
We have more on the Nets:
- Michael Porter Jr. had the 10th-most votes among Eastern Conference players in the first round of fan voting. It reinforces the notion that Porter is a long shot to be selected for the 12-man squad despite posting career-high numbers, but that won’t stop the Nets from campaigning for him, writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Mike is a leader by example. He shows up, always been very professional since I got to know him at 19 years old. He’s worked on his body, came in and did his work. Obviously, that shot is pure, but he puts a lot of time into it,” Fernandez said. “He makes open shots, contested shots and impossible shots. That’s the work that not a lot of people see and his teammates see it.”
- The front office must keep in mind the long-term picture during this competitive stretch in which they’ve moved up a few spots in the standings, Lewis opines. General manager Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai must make a tough decision on whether Porter is a trade asset or a building block for the future, as well as seeking a market for Cam Thomas. They could also ponder other moves, such as trading Nic Claxton or absorbing another salary dump into their league-high $15MM in cap space to acquire more draft assets.
- While Haywood Highsmith continues to work his way back from right knee surgery, he’s trying to assist the club any way he can, such as mentoring rookie Drake Powell. “Just a true vet,” Fernandez said of Highsmith, per Holmes. “You see him right now, he’s passing the ball to Drake and we’re not asking him to do it. So that shows you the type of veteran he is, his leadership. He holds him accountable and he wants him to get better. So that’s very important for us. That leadership is priceless and we’re very happy with him… He’s doing his job every single day.”
Nets Notes: Thomas, Winning Streak, Bench, Demin
Nets guard Cam Thomas admitted a couple days ago that there would likely be an adjustment period when he returned to action on Saturday, per Brian Lewis of The New York Post. After a terrible 0-7 start to the season with Thomas in the lineup, Brooklyn had been playing better in the 24-year-old’s absence, going 9-12 over the past several weeks, including the November 5 win over Indiana in which Thomas was limited to just six minutes after straining his left hamstring.
“Every team adjusts when a certain player goes out,” said Thomas. “We’ll figure it out. Just go out there and play ball. It’s not rocket science. We just go out there, figure out who’s out there together and figure out how to play amongst each other.
“It’s been a while. … Obviously, it’s going to be a learning curve for a few games, but we’ll figure it out quick. We’re pros, we’ll figure it out. So, just going to make it back on the court and play, figure it out and just try to keep stacking wins.”
However, Thomas showed zero signs of rust — or trouble fitting in — as he lit up the Timberwolves for 30 points in 20 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s win at Minnesota, Lewis writes in another story. The impending free agent shot 9-of-15 from the floor and was 9-for-9 at three throw line while chipping in four assists (against zero turnovers) and three rebounds.
Thomas, who was a game-high plus-27, said he was happy to be playing again and to help the team get a win, Lewis notes. Head coach Jordi Fernandez praised Thomas’ performance.
“[I liked] his mindset. He let the game come to him. He assisted, zero turnovers being a simple play every time. And I’m pretty sure the potential assists were high because he made the right play over and over and over,” Fernandez said. “Sometimes you cannot control if those are going to be assists, but you just play the right way. And going to the free throw line, and as efficient as it was, it was just really impressive.
“We have to be careful with the amount of minutes we play him. And knowing that he had a short amount of minutes and using them efficiently, efficiently for the team. He just played, once again, the right play every time: whether it was to score against the line or pass waters. So, very clean game, very connected to his teammates, talking to them, telling them what to do. That’s it.”
We have more from Brooklyn:
- The Nets have now won a season-high three straight games and seven of their past 10 after picking up a road victory against a Minnesota team that had gone 10-3 in its last 13 contests, according to Lewis. The Nets surprisingly have the league’s top-ranked defense in December, Lewis notes. “When you’ve got Mike [Michael Porter Jr.] playing the level he’s playing out right now, throwing a Cam Thomas in the fold, and you have us defending the way that we are, we’re extremely [tough],” Nic Claxton said. “We’re going to be an extremely tough team to beat every night. We’re gonna compete, because those are two extremely gifted scores. And we’ve got shooters around. We’ve got me, Day’Ron [Sharpe] at the rim. So we’ve got a lot of different options, a lot to build off of.”
- While Thomas was the top performer, Brooklyn’s bench also received solid contributions from first-round picks Nolan Traore, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf as well as fifth-year center Sharpe in outscoring Minnesota’s second unit 62-33, as C.J. Holmes of The New York Daily News relays.
- Fernandez has been pleased with the lottery pick Egor Demin‘s progress so far this season, but he’s constantly pushing the 19-year-old to keep improving, per Holmes. “I think he’s more comfortable,” Fernandez said. “I think he always played like he belongs, and that’s been great. I remember since that preseason game in Toronto. He played and showed right away why we were so high on him and how he handled himself. It’s not just about the shot making but also seeing the floor and his ability to get deflections and rebounds and all those things. We’ve seen how much better he’s gotten from Day 1… We still want to see more and better. And that goes not just for him, but everybody else on the roster.”