Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Pictures
The Brooklyn Nets shall be hoping Cam Thomas averted a long-term damage on Wednesday night time in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Thomas suffered a left ankle sprain within the third quarter of Wednesday’s matchup and was dominated out for the rest of the competition, per Meghan Triplett of YES Community.
The 22-year-old appeared to roll his ankle stepping on P.J. Tucker’s foot.
Thomas notched 14 factors and two rebounds in 20 minutes earlier than exiting.
Dropping Thomas for any period of time is a troublesome blow for the Nets because the LSU product has been among the best gamers within the NBA this season. He entered Wednesday’s recreation averaging 28.7 factors—which ranks seventh within the league—4.0 rebounds and a pair of.4 assists whereas taking pictures 48.3 % from the ground and 33.3 % from deep.
The lack of Thomas can also be notably troublesome for the Nets as Ben Simmons (hip), Cameron Johnson (leg) and Nic Claxton (ankle) are all out with accidents. That leaves Brooklyn with Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges because the workforce’s finest scoring threats.
If Thomas misses an prolonged time frame, Lonnie Walker IV figures to see extra taking part in time alongside Dennis Smith Jr.
The Nets chosen Thomas within the first spherical of the 2021 draft with the expectation that he could be a scoring risk off the bench behind Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant.
With the trio having exited Brooklyn, Thomas was anticipated to step up, and he has exceeded any and all expectations.
Talking with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Thomas credited Irving and Durant for serving to him develop his recreation throughout their time in Brooklyn.
“I discovered lots. I might say they helped me with the pace of the sport. They do not let something pace them up and have endurance on offense,” Thomas stated. “It will at all times come again to you, so you do not actually need to pressure something. That is the principle factor. Let the sport come to you as a result of, finally, the ball will come round to you.”
The Nets entered Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Clippers eighth within the Jap Convention with a 3-4 file. They will be again in motion once more on Friday in opposition to the Boston Celtics for in-season match motion.
