Sharpe says he’ll play vs. Celtics after missing 15 games due to knee injury

Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe confirmed on Monday that he will play in Tuesday’s game against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center after missing 15 straight games because of a left knee hyperextension. Sharpe suffered the injury on Jan. 7 against the Portland Trail Blazers. He did not expect to miss as much time as he had but is thankful his injury was not worse. Brooklyn went 5-10 over its last 15 games without Sharpe. His absence led to increased roles for Royce O’Neale, now with the Phoenix Suns, and Dorian Finney-Smith in recent games. It also put more frontcout pressure on starting center Nic Claxton.

I’m trying to tell you, I’ve been fiending man,” Sharpe said. “Every day I’m watching the game, I’m like, trying to jump to the TV, get on the floor type thing. You know, just happy to be back.”

Sharpe averaged 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 blocks over his last 10 appearances off the bench while shooting 67.2% from the field. The Nets have an offensive rating of 115.8 and a defensive rating of 108.1 with him on the court.

Tuesday’s game will offer a first look at how Brookly’s second unit will operate with Sharpe and Dennis Schröder on the court at the same time. Schröder has already found some early chemistry with Claxton, which bodes well for Sharpe.

“Yeah, it’s interesting,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said. “Just because you saw what Dennis can do from the point guard position and whether he was, the connection he had with Nic, which will need to grow that also. But Day’Ron gives us the ability to be in different coverages as well. So, we’ll see how that fits. We got a little bit of makeup ground as far as figuring out on both ends of the floor.”

Sharpe will be on a minutes restriction going forward.

“I might get a little tired but I’m going to play hard the whole time,” he said.

SENSE OF URGENCY

A home and away back-to-back set against Boston separates Brooklyn from the All-Star break. The Nets, still riding the high of Saturday’s 123-103 defeat of the San Antonio Spurs at Barclays Center, is looking to enter the NBA’s stretch run on a high note.

While the Nets did not have any players selected to compete in the 2024 All-Star game in Indianapolis, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were voted in for Boston. The Celtics, who boast the best record in the NBA at 41-12 entering Monday’s matchups, have not suffered a loss since Feb. 1 and have won 12 of their last 15 games overall.

They are second in the league in offensive rating (120.3) and third in defensive rating (110.8).

“Yeah, it’s interesting, having the same team that you’re going to play twice,” Vaughn said. “I think overall it’s just a heck of a challenge for us. They’ll make you focus, or you’ll pay for it on both ends of the floor. They’re just so good at manipulating matchups and using their skillset to get shots they want, and they figured out how to cover on the defensive end of the floor, guards that are big and strong and use that ability to get you where they want you. This is a game of want and purpose.”

The Nets, 21-31, are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings with 30 games left. But there are still a few reasons for optimism. The team is slowly regaining its strength with Sharpe returning to the court. Ben Simmons has started three straight games. And the trade deadline addition Schröder has given Brooklyn’s backcourt an element that has been missing all season. He had 15 points and 12 rebounds in his Nets debut on Saturday.

“For us to get healthy is the most vital thing for us going forward and it gives us a chance to figure out our combinations, who’s going to play rotations, to use our depth and to figure out on both ends of the floor, what’s beneficial,” Vaughn said. “So it is a good sign that we’re getting healthy going into the break.”

Vaughn has not had access to a healthy roster since opening night in late October. That should change soon. But he does not want his team to overlook the opponent in front of them — how could any team. Urgency is needed now, just as much it will be down the stretch.

“You know, just historically, games, pre and post break,” Vaughn said. “You’ve been able to make up some ground whether a team is not focused, not ready to play. Thinking about the break too early or still in the break after you’re done with the break. So, you see that on both sides. So, it’s definitely something I’ve stressed to the group. How are we going to approach these 30 games with a relentless effort and ability to focus.”

Despite Brooklyn’s struggles this season, it still remains in striking distance from a postseason berth. The Nets are just 2.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th place slot of the Play-In Tournament.

“I think everyone’s point of focus is making it to the playoffs,” Lonnie Walker IV said following Monday’s practice in Brooklyn. “I think, from the top down, we all want to be in that environment. It just continues to grow. I think day-to-day we’re trying to capitalize on as much as we can, whether it’s practice, off court, getting conditioning in, lifting. Whatever it might be, I think everyone’s doing their due diligence to be mentally and physically prepared for every single game coming up.”

JOHNSON UPDATE

Vaughn confirmed Johnson will miss his fourth straight game on Tuesday because of a left adductor strain suffered in last week’s loss to the Golden State Warriors. However, the forward was seen at Monday’s practice playing light 5-on-5 with rookie Noah Clowney, newcomer Keita Bates-Diop, Keon Johnson and other Nets staffers.

“Yeah, which is good,” Vaughn said. “Just get a chance to be around other bodies and see how his body responds tomorrow.”

It is probably safe to assume that Johnson will return after the All-Star break, though there is a chance he could be ready to go when the team visits Boston on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists across 40 games this season.