HELP ARRIVES
Thomas, Sharpe available to rejoin Nets on road trip as team eyes final Play-In spot
Interim head coach Kevin Ollie and the Nets received some good news as the team is in the midst of a season-long six-game road trip.
After missing the last six games with a right ankle/midfoot sprain, guard Cam Thomas is available to suit up for the front end of a back-to-back against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night. Center Day’Ron Sharpe was also listed as available after missing the past two games due to a wrist injury.
The team went 3-3 without Thomas’ 20.9 points per game, which is tied with Mikal Bridges for most on the Nets. Sharpe’s size and rebounding were clearly missed as the undersized Nets ran out of gas against the 10-win Pistons on Thursday.
Their returns bolster a Nets team looking to regain sight of the final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament spot. After dropping the game to the Pistons, the Nets entered Saturday four games behind the No. 10 seed Atlanta Hawks.
The Nets should have a clearer picture of their postseason chances at the conclusion of this road trip.
After Saturday’s front end, Ollie’s squad will get a chance at victory against a Cavaliers squad without starting forward Evan Mobley. Star Donovan Mitchell won’t be a lock to play as he’s dealing with an injured knee.
Then tough matchups ensue with the East’s newest rising teams: the Orlando Magic on Monday and the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. The Nets conclude the journey next Sunday against rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
A 3-4 record in previous matchups against the Magic, Cavs, Pacers and Spurs this season suggests not much ground will be made to catch up to the Hawks during the road trip. And more help certainly isn’t on the way after the team learned Ben Simmons won’t play again this season due to his nagging lower back injury.
To make matter worse, a couple wins could be had (against lowly Western Conference teams) in the Hawks’ upcoming four games: Sunday vs. the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday at the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday at the Utah Jazz and next Sunday at the Los Angeles Clippers.
On the bright side for the Nets, Atlanta owns the 10th toughest schedule to finish out the season, according to Positive Residual. Brooklyn owns the 17th toughest schedule to wrap up the 2023-24 campaign.
Each game counts and matchups against lowly teams are must-win for a Nets team looking to extend their play after the regular season.
“I feel like every game at this point is a must win with us trying to make the playoffs,” Nic Claxton said after Thursday’s loss to the Pistons.