Nets rookie Drake Powell missed Monday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Center because of a right ankle sprain.
The 20-year-old forward suffered the injury late in the first quarter of Sunday’s 129-105 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, his first appearance for Brooklyn since opening night. He left with 5.7 seconds remaining in the first quarter and did not return, finishing with two points and one assist in four minutes.
After the game, Powell was seen in the locker room with no ice, no wrap and no noticeable limp, supporting head coach Jordi Fernández’s comment that the injury isn’t too serious, although it’s the same ankle he hurt against the Charlotte Hornets.
“Obviously, we’ll do whatever we can on our side to strengthen it, to use precautionary stuff to strengthen [and] get more secure right there,” Fernández said. “But we’re not concerned, actually. When he just sprained it last time, he came back pretty quick, he put his work in, he was looking great. That’s what basketball is about, sometimes it’s bad luck.”
Selected 22nd overall in June as part of the Nets’ historic rookie haul, the North Carolina product missed Summer League and two preseason games because of what the team called a minor left knee tendinopathy.
PORTER OUT
Michael Porter Jr. was ruled out of Monday’s game for personal reasons, Fernández confirmed during his pregame news conference. The team did not offer further details. Noah Clowney started in his place.
“Right now, we believe in everybody on the roster, and we know that we can all elevate our games,” Fernández said.
While Porter hasn’t been the most efficient 3-point shooter through six games in his first season with Brooklyn, he’s established himself as the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 20.8 points per game, and led the group in total assists with 18. In Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia, the 27-year-old recorded his first double-double as a Net with 17 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
WOLF RETURNS
Rookie forward Danny Wolf had yet to appear in a game this season while recovering from a left ankle sprain suffered during shootaround before opening night. But the No. 27 overall pick was finally healthy enough to be ruled available Monday, opening the door for his NBA debut.
Wolf had been the lone member of Brooklyn’s five rookie first-rounders yet to see action. Fernández praised him for staying engaged and locked in with the team during his recovery.
“He’s been a great pro, doing his work to get back healthy, and that’s why I give him so much credit,” Fernández said. “Again, it’s an ankle sprain and you don’t want that to happen, but it happens. It happens multiple times in this game, and having that positive mindset of, ‘I’m going to strengthen up whatever issue I have and be ready to help my teammates’ and that’s what he usually does. So, give him a lot of credit. I know when his number is called, he’ll be ready.”
