The Nets announced Friday that leading scorer Cam Thomas has a left hamstring strain and will be sidelined for at least three to four weeks. He exited Wednesday’s 112-103 win over the Indiana Pacers with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter and didn’t return.
“I don’t expect to be out for long, but we’ll see how it goes,” Thomas said.
Thomas missed 57 games in 2024–25, sidelined mostly by lingering left hamstring issues. Brooklyn entered Friday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center with a 1-7 record.
“Obviously, I feel for him because he’s done a great job this summer,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said. He looked great, his body looked great, and now he won’t be with us on the court. But we’ll do whatever it takes to help him keep working and get him healthy.”
While plenty of games will remain by the time Thomas returns, the injury is still a frustrating setback given what’s at stake. After spending most of the offseason as a restricted free agent, Thomas declined a long-term extension and instead signed a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer, betting that staying healthy and building on his production could earn him a more lucrative multi-year deal in 2026.
“No one wants to be injured and standing off to the side, but I’m not really worried about it,” Thomas said. “I’ll be back in no time. I’m not really upset or concerned, it’s just unfortunate.”
The 24-year-old has averaged 21.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in eight appearances this season while shooting 40.2% from the field, 35.6% from the 3-point line 87.5% from the charity stripe.
“We don’t have another Cam Thomas,” Fernández said. “The constant has to be we have to play hard with purpose. We have to look like a competitive team out there, a selfless team and a connected team. If that happens, we’ll be OK.”
NEXT MAN UP
With Thomas sidelined for at least a month, the scoring spotlight now shifts to Michael Porter Jr., who looks more than capable of handling it. Entering Friday’s game, the forward is averaging 22.4 points on 46.9% shooting from the field and 33.9% from deep, including three 30-point performances in seven starts this season.
“I just want him to get them up and get good shots because they’re going to go in,” Fernández said. “He’s one of the best shooters in the world, and if you put those things together like focus and intensity on the defensive end, he’ll get more deflections.”
Terance Mann and Tyrese Martin are expected to take on larger backcourt roles in Thomas’ absence, along with rookie Egor Demin, who’s looking to rediscover his offensive rhythm after a hot shooting start to the season.
“I want him to keep shooting the ball, touching the paint, to either finish or assist,” Fernández said of Demin, who got his first career start Friday. “Keep being active on the defensive end, rebound… He’ll keep taking steps, positive steps, in the right direction, and the minutes are the most important thing. Those are the biggest teachers ever.”
POWELL RETURNS
Drake Powell was available Friday after missing two games with a right ankle sprain. Fellow rookies Ben Saraf, Nolan Traoré and Danny Wolf remained on G League assignment.
“Unfortunately, he rolled his ankle twice, but that’s nothing we can control and I’m excited to see him again,” Fernández said. “And every time he’s got an opportunity, he’s taken advantage of his minutes, so I believe that he’s going to do it again.”
