Before the Raptors game, the Nets inflicted an injury on thire star legend

25/03/2024 dominic Basketball 0

The Nets will be shorthanded when they travel up north to take on the Raptors.

There won’t be enough players available for the Brooklyn Nets’ Monday road game against the Toronto Raptors. The team declared on Sunday that Cam Johnson (left big toe sprain) and Dennis Smith Jr. (right shin stress response) would not be playing.
During Saturday’s 105-93 loss to the New York Knicks, Johnson suffered a toe injury. The 6-foot-8 forward has had difficulty maintaining his health this season despite agreeing to a four-year, $94.5 million contract this summer.

Days prior to the commencement of training camp, Johnson suffered a strain to his left hamstring, which kept him out of the preseason. He missed seven games in the season opener due to a strained left calf after his return. Later, in late January, he had a left adductor injury that kept him out of action for four games. Later in March, an ankle strain kept him out of action for three games.

The previous lottery selection hasn’t lived up to Brooklyn’s substantial financial commitment when on the court. On 45/40/78 shots, Johnson has averaged 13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.

The Nets, who are already lacking in enthusiasm, will suffer from Smith’s absence. The 25-year-old, who signed an off-season contract for the minimum, has been a sparkplug in Brooklyn’s backcourt off the bench. Over 55 games, Smith has averaged 19.2 minutes per game, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 6.7 points.
The North Carolina State product has maintained his rise to become one of the NBA’s best point-of-attack defenders, despite the fact that his lack of outside shooting sometimes hinder Brooklyn’s offensive. According to DunksandThrees.com, Smith leads all point guards in defensive projected plus-minus (+3.0) this season.
Nets dealt Cam Johnson injury blow before training camp even starts
Jalen Wilson, a rookie selected in the second round, should continue to earn playing time off the bench while Johnson and Smith are out. In his few opportunities this season, the undisputed 2023 Big-12 Player of the Year has excelled, showcasing his tough defense, rebounding, and floor-spacing skills. Midway through the season, Brooklyn changed the Kansas product’s two-way contract to a conventional three-year agreement.
The Raptors showdown is also without Keita Bates-Diop because of a right shin stress reaction. Despite averaging 4.8 minutes per game over 14 games, the 28-year-old forward has been unable to break into Brooklyn’s rotation since joining the team at the deadline in a trade for Royce O’Neale.
Following the firing of Jacque Vaughn by general manager Sean Marks and the promotion of Kevin Ollie to interim head coach during the All-Star break, the Nets have continued to decline in the rankings. Throughout 17 games under Ollie, Brooklyn has a 5–12 record and ranks 24th in terms of offensive.

With 11 games left, the Nets are now five and a half games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in berth in the Eastern Conference, after a six-game losing streak. Even with less players, they will have a great chance to snap the run against a Raptors club that is experiencing the worst 10-game losing streak in the NBA.