Carroll injured knee on last play

The Nets may have suffered a worse loss than one game in the standings Saturday.

Forward DeMarre Carroll, who did not get the go-ahead to play until after the morning shootaround because of a sore rib, was helped to the locker room by teammates with what the team called a right knee injury.

There was no additional update and he will be re-evaluated Sunday.

Carroll convinced coach Kenny Atkinson to let him play through the pain in the morning.

“I think it’s very painful. If you ever had a rib, those are very painful but it’s something that can’t get worse. So what pain level can you tolerate,” Atkinson said. “He’s obviously a tough guy. Talked to him this morning and he was gung-ho for playing.”

The Nets were down one big component: Caris LeVert. The 6-foot-7 wing missed his second straight game with a left groin strain. But the Nets are hopeful he is ready for Toronto on Monday. Atkinson indicated LeVert might have been able to play Saturday but there was no need to push it.

Jahlil Okafor, who had scored 12 combined points in his first two games for the Nets, equaled that Saturday in 12:39 off the bench. He looked very aggressive and attacked freely.

“The guys in the locker room encouraged me and supported me to try to attack,” Okafor said. “Whether that means scoring or making a play for them. When your teammates believe in you, it makes it a lot easier.”

Joe Harris continued his roll for the Nets. In his last five games, he has averaged 13.2 points and 6.0 rebounds (he had a career-best 12 rebounds Saturday).

“We’re so pleased with his progress,” Atkinson said after Harris had his first career double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds).