Nets guard Cam Thomas, sidelined since Nov. 5 because of a left hamstring strain, has shown healing progress in a recent follow-up MRI and has begun on-court work, the team said. His status will be updated again in approximately two weeks.
Thomas missed his 15th straight game when the New Orleans Pelicans visited Barclays Center on Saturday. Through eight appearances, he’s averaged 21.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 40.2% from the field, 35.6% from 3-point range and 87.5% at the free throw line.
“We’re happy with how he’s progressing,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “And we have another timeline, which is two weeks. We’ll let you guys know. That’s pretty much it. There’s no reading in-between. We’re happy with the progress. There’s been improvement. And now in two weeks, we’ll see where he’s at.”
Thomas’ recurring hamstring troubles cost him 57 games last season, and the uncertainty lingered into the summer as his restricted free agency stretched well into the offseason. In the end, he passed on a long-term deal and came back on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer.
The Nets have had to rethink their offense with Thomas sidelined, and no one has carried the load more than Michael Porter Jr. His shot creation and movement shooting have steadied the half-court attack, allowing Brooklyn to play with more flow through cutting, drive and kicks and frontcourt playmaking instead of Thomas’ isolation-heavy diet.
“Obviously his superpower is the ability he has to score,” Fernández said. “At the same time, we always want to see playmaking efficiency and improvement on defense. So, all those things were important at the time. Now his being out, the team continues to get better and play and play in a way.
With Porter anchoring the scoring, the ball has moved more, and young players like Noah Clowney, Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf have taken on larger connective roles. The offense has looked more balanced, although it still dips when Porter sits or defenses key in on him.
Defensively, the change has been even more noticeable. Without Thomas, Brooklyn has leaned on bigger, more active lineups, tightening its shell and creating more turnovers. Clowney, Wolf and Day’Ron Sharpe have all taken clear steps forward, giving the Nets a more disruptive identity.
Fernández said all of that growth will shape how the Nets reintegrate Thomas once he is healthy and highlights how much the team has evolved during his absence.
“For the most part, I’m very happy with the whole group,” Fernández said. “And now when [Cam] comes back, it’s going to be on me to figure it out how we introduce him into the group, and thinking that the most important thing, it’s always the group. And then from there you’re willing to do whatever it takes to help the group and obviously improve yourself. And that’s how this works. Team success will bring your own success as well. And, right now, two weeks away I usually don’t worry about having to think about those things until the situation is in front of me. So right now, as he’s doing a great job, we love him, love to have him back. But at the same time, we’ll be patient and get him ready to be able to help the team.”
