Nic Claxton did not play in the Nets’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday because of hamstring soreness, and the team could be without its starting center for the rest of the preseason, according to head coach Jordi Fernandez.
“He’s going through his process to be back,” Fernandez said. “We’re still aiming [for him to return by the] first game of the season. Will he play the next couple games? I don’t know, but he’s doing good.”
With Claxton and reserve center Day’Ron Sharpe out indefinitely, the Nets were forced to utilize small ball lineups against the Clippers which featured Ben Simmons, Dorian Finney-Smith and Noah Clowney at the 5. Sharpe will not be re-evaluated for another five weeks, so Fernandez will likely continue to lean on small ball lineups until the team’s frontcourt returns to full strength. The Nets also announced earlier in the week that reserve forward Trendon Warford will miss the entire preseason.
“I know we’re going to run some small ball a little bit, but not having Clax and Day’Day changes the way we play. They’re a big rim presence that we need,” Finney-Smith said.
Playing smaller usually equates to an advantage in speed, and the Nets used theirs to outscore the Clippers 27-20 in transition on Tuesday. However, they were outrebounded 44-36, so Fernandez made team rebounding an emphasis in Friday’s practice.
“Obviously it starts with finding your man and no high school box outs and really hitting bodies,” Fernandez said. “And if your man is not going to the glass and he’s getting back then you have to get in the mix and either sandwich somebody or go get it. So, we will get used to it if we really get better at it and then we get back Nic and Day’Ron we’ll be really good finishing possessions. It’s a good learning process for us.”
SIMMONS, SCHRÖDER TO START VS. WASHINTON
With Claxton’s status up in the air, Fernandez told reporters that Simmons and Dennis Schröder will start together again when the Nets face the Washington Wizards on Monday.
Simmons finished with two points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal in 13 minutes against the Clippers, while Schröder dished out a game-high five assists in 16 minutes.
“It was cool,” Schröder said when asked about sharing the backcourt with Simmons. “We thought a little bit too much, I just felt like. Everyone who started the game was just thinking what’s the spots and where should I be. I think defensively we just have to pick up full court, everybody with energy, and on the offensive end, whoever gets the ball, run, and everybody has to run with him. When Ben gets the ball, I have to get to the corner and everybody else, too, and run the floor and then just play.”
According to Finney-Smith, it does not matter who gets most of Brooklyn’s point guard touches because Fernandez has stressed the importance of playing position-less basketball. He said whoever snatches the ball off the rim has been encouraged to push the pace in transition.
“Having two guys out there who can make good decisions, it helps, especially in transition,” Finney-Smith said. “Dennis is probably the fastest on the team and Dennis is probably one of the quickest guys who can change speeds at a good rate — and they’re both pests on defense. So, it can be an advantage, especially on the defensive end.”
OTHER INJURIES
Killian Hayes (hip) did not play in the Nets’ preseason opener and his status for Monday’s game against the Washington is unknown at this time. There are also no updates on veteran forward Bojan Bogdanović, who continues to recover from offseason surgery.
