The Brooklyn Nets are dealing with a difficult phase in their season as injuries continue to pile up, leaving them without some of their most important players. One of the biggest setbacks has been the absence of veteran point guard D’Angelo Russell, who the Los Angeles Lakers recently traded. Russell has missed three straight games due to a right shin contusion, disrupting the team’s offensive rhythm.
Russell will miss his fourth straight game Friday against the Denver Nuggets due to a shin contusion, initially misidentified as a calf injury. While he could return Sunday against the Utah Jazz, the team hasn’t provided a specific timeline for his recovery. This season, he’s averaging 12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, shooting 41.9% from the field, 32.8% from three, and 85.7% from the line, with a 54.1% true shooting percentage.
In the meantime, the Nets have turned to Keon Johnson and Tyrese Martin as starting guards, with Reece Beekman stepping up for extra minutes off the bench. However, the absence of a lead playmaker has been obvious, and the team’s offense has struggled to find its flow. Brooklyn has lost six of its last seven games and is slipping in the standings, making Russell’s return feel more urgent than ever.
Injuries Plague Nets Ahead Of West Coast Swing
The injury bug hasn’t just bitten Russell. The Nets are dealing with multiple setbacks as they head into a challenging six-game West Coast road trip. On the brighter side, Ben Simmons is set to return Friday after missing three games due to calf soreness and lower back management. Simmons, who has taken on an expanded role as a starting point guard, has been averaging 8.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in his last seven games. His return should bring some stability to the team’s offense, which has been struggling in his and Russell’s absence.
However, the Nets remain shorthanded in other areas. Cam Thomas is still out with a left hamstring strain and won’t be re-evaluated until after the road trip. Cam Johnson is nursing a right ankle sprain, marking his fourth consecutive missed game. Trendon Watford, dealing with a left hamstring strain, will miss his 12th straight game. These injuries have made it difficult for the team to find consistency and have pushed them down to sixth place in the draft lottery standings.
