On Wednesday’s game in Atlanta, the Nets will have to manage without seven players, including a couple of starters and a key rotation player.
Ben Simmons, a crucial offensive player, will be absent for the seventh consecutive game due to a nerve impingement in his lower left back.
Cam Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, will also be on the sidelines for the sixth game in a row with a left ankle sprain.
Dennis Smith Jr., the backup point guard, is grappling with a lower back sprain and underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday afternoon.
When asked about the decision to conduct the scan, Jacque Vaughn suggested it was logical considering Smith’s continued inability to return to the court.
“Well, the fact that he’s not playing,” Vaughn said, leaving a pregnant pause.
“That’s kind of our steps a little bit. You let a guy get clinically diagnosed, you hope it’s not an acute injury; then you see if he can get some treatment and get back on the floor.
“Well, we had a couple days of treatment and he’s not back on the floor. So then we’ll take the next step and get an MRI.”
Banged-up Nets will be without two starters, key rotation player vs. Hawks https://t.co/qec1jzwyDv pic.twitter.com/Det5fmGQSb
— New York Post (@nypost) November 22, 2023
