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The Brooklyn Nets have not won many games coming out of the All-Star Break as they have endured one of the tougher schedules in the NBA since the season resumed. Despite the fact that Brooklyn has been getting healthier, the losing continues and with a matchup against one of the best teams in the league in the Boston Celtics, the Nets will be shorthanded.
The Nets announced on Friday that center Nic Claxton, forwards Noah Clowney and Trendon Watford, and guard Cam Thomas will miss Saturday's game against the Celtics due to their various reasons. Claxton is being held out due to rest, Clowney is still dealing with his right ankle sprain, and Watford and Thomas are out due to left hamstring injury management.
Claxton, 25, has been one of the steady presences for the team as he has played in 58 of the team's 66 games this season while averaging 10.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 54.9% from the field and 53.0% from the free-throw line. With Claxton out of the lineup, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez will most likely turn to Day'Ron Sharpe to be the starting center in Claxton's place, depending on who is available for Boston.
Thomas being out of the rotation will be a huge loss for Brooklyn as he is coming the first double-double of his career with 24 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists in Thursday's 116-110 loss at the Chicago Bulls. Thomas missing the game will likely mean that Keon Johnson will take in his place in the starting lineup to show what he can do against the reigning NBA champions.
Watford has been dealing with injuries throughout this season as his left hamstring has bothered him on multiple occasions throughout the campaign. The past couple of games haven been rough for him as he's shooting 2-for-10 from the field while playing at least 18 minutes in each contest. This will also be the second time that Watford and Thomas have sat out of back-to-backs, but Fernandez did not specify if that will be part of the plan for the former LSU Tigers moving forward.
Clowney will miss his second straight game game after suffering his ankle sprain in Tuesday's 109-104 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Since Clowney came back from a left ankle sprain that kept him off the floor for a little over one month, he has been playing well to the tune of 10.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 39.1% from the field and 31.6% from deep.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Nic Claxton, Cam Thomas, Noah Clowney out Saturday vs. Celtics
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