The Brooklyn Nets face the New York Knicks on Friday at Madison Square Garden during their first NBA Cup game. Jordi Fernandez’s squad is dealing with injuries to several key contributors ahead of the rivalry matchup. Nic Claxton is the most notable, with the Nets adding the starting center to their injury report due to lower back tightness.
Claxton is listed as questionable, while Dorian Finney-Smith is probable after missing Brooklyn’s last two games due to an ankle sprain. Ben Simmons is not on the injury report after missing Wednesday’s loss to the Boston Celtics due to left calf tightness.
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Nic Claxton injury status vs. Knicks
Claxton was a late addition to the Nets’ injury report after playing 24 minutes vs. Boston. He posted three points, five rebounds and two assists on 1-of-3 shooting during the blowout loss, after which he said he “didn’t feel the best.” His status for the Knicks matchup is now up in the air.
The Nets have taken a cautious approach with injuries early this season. They kept Claxton on a minutes restriction and brought him off the bench for his first seven games as he progressed back from a preseason hamstring injury. Fernandez said on Wednesday that he wanted Finney-Smith to be “200 percent” when he returned from his ankle injury.
“All our players, their bodies and their health are the most important thing for us,” the coach said.
Claxton moved into the Nets’ starting lineup for their last four games while ramping up his minutes. After Brooklyn signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $97 million contract this summer, Fernandez said the big man will step into an expanded offensive role this season. However, that’s yet to come to fruition.
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Claxton has averaged 8.6 points and 2.5 assists while attempting 5.7 field goals per game. He’s attempted five or fewer shots in three of his last four appearances.
Following the Celtics loss, Claxton felt he needed to assert himself more offensively.
“It’s on me. Just being more assertive, more aggressive,” he said. “Today, I didn’t feel the best, but just being more assertive and finding ways in the offense to get my shots up.”
The Nets are already thin in the frontcourt, with Day’Ron Sharpe sidelined by a hamstring injury. If Claxton cannot play vs. the Knicks, Simmons and Noah Clowney will shoulder a heavy burden as the team’s only center options.
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