Steve Nash said a few weeks ago that he expected Nic Claxton to return at the end of February … and it is officially at the end of February.
For the first time this year, the Nets injury report lists the 21-year-old as “questionable”, not “out.” Claxton, who underwent shoulder surgery and did not reach the “blister”, was diagnosed with tendinopathy in his right knee at the beginning of the training camp in early December. It is hard to imagine that the sophomore would get minutes against the Clippers, even if he moved to “available” on Sunday.
The Nets injury report was released after Steve Nash spoke to reporters earlier in the day. So there are no details on the status change … or when the almost two-meter player would really have time to play … or if he could be sent to the League G “bubble” to get him in shape. He hasn’t played an NBA game since last February 28.
Claxton has been training with Nets coaches and bank players – also known as “ready crew” – for the past few weeks. On February 8, he told reporters that he was being patient.
“It is definitely difficult to get hurt now with the talent we have brought and, of course, I am really ready to be there and help the team, but I have to be patient,” said Claxton. “This is something I learned. I had my surgery and had some bouts of tendonitis, but I’m just trying to stay patient ”.
In 15 NBA games last season, Claxton averaged 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds, but showed flashes in two games in mid-January, when he scored 14 points against the Bucks and 15 against the 76ers, both defeats.
Here are some highlights from his game against Philly …
After losing games due to a hamstring injury, the Nets sent him to Long Island, where he played nine games, averaging 16.7 points. 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 blocks in 21.5 minutes. He also had a 66/56/76 line of fire, showing some range.
Here are some highlights from his big 34-point night, nine rebounds and three three-point before the pandemic hit …
The Nets, of course, are in shallow depth at 5, after the trade that brought James Harden to Brooklyn and sent Jarrett Allen to Cleveland. They have used DeAndre Jordan in more conventional lineups and Jeff Green and even Bruce Brown in small ball situations. They signed veteran Noah Vonleh for an unsecured deal two weeks ago and are looking for other possibilities. A healthy Claxton would undoubtedly change that calculation.