The Nets have maintained that Nic Claxton‘s hamstring injury is not serious. The center in question spoke to reporters following Saturday’s practice and confirmed that was indeed the case.
“I’m progressing, feeling good, enjoying the journey,” Claxton said.
Claxton said he started experiencing hamstring soreness ahead of training camp. He was held out of the Nets’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday for precautionary reasons and will not play in Monday’s exhibition against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center, either. He said that if it were up to him, he would play, but the team’s training staff will continue to take a cautious approach with his recovery.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez said the plan is for Claxton to be healthy and available at the start of the regular season. However, the center could make his preseason debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, or against the Toronto Raptors on Friday.
Claxton was not a full participant at practice on Saturday, per Fernandez. The Nets open the 2024-25 regular season against the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 23.
“I think he’s doing great,” Fernandez said when asked about Claxton’s progress. “I’m pretty sure he’s shared his thoughts. He did part of practice today and he’s hoping to play in one or two preseason games. So, again, we’re aiming for game No. 1 of the season, which is the No. 1 priority, and anything else that he will be able to do is going to be a bonus. But it’s really important for the group because we want to see him on the court.”
Claxton knows that he is needed. With him and reserve center Day’Ron Sharpe out, the Nets were forced to play small against the Clippers on Tuesday. Ben Simmons started at center, while forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Noah Clowney played reserve minutes at center behind him. Sharpe, who suffered a left hamstring strain in training camp, will not be re-evaluated for another five weeks.
“I think they did a good job with the small ball,” Claxton said. “We started slow, but you can kind of see how we want to play, playing fast and being really scrappy on defense. So, it’s kind of nice to be able to just sit down and watch, then just knowing the ways I’ll be able to help when I get out there on the court.”
The 25-year-old, now the longest-tenured Nets player, finished eighth in the NBA in total blocks (146), 21st in the league in field goal percentage among centers (62.9), 14th in total rebounds collected among centers (706) and recorded 30 double-doubles across 71 games last season. Brooklyn rewarded its home-grown product with a four-year, $100 million extension during the offseason.
So, when Claxton does step back on the court, he will do so with a clear mind. His bag is secured. Now he can focus on being the veteran leader the rebuilding Nets need him to be.
“It’s refreshing. It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Claxton said. “Last year, at the end of the day, a contract is going to be at the back of your mind. So, getting that done, now I feel like I can just go out here and hoop and just lead the best way I can.”
