The Nets’ LaMarcus Aldridge was a shock addition to the harm listing, questionable for Monday’s recreation towards the Memphis Grizzlies with proper foot soreness.
Joe Harris (left ankle surgical procedure) and Kyrie Irving are out as expected. However having Aldridge’s standing unsure might be a tricky blow.
Aldridge has averaged 14.3 factors over his previous 10 video games, with 53.0 % taking pictures, 6.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. And the veteran middle’s productiveness has been the most effective indicators of Brooklyn’s success to this point.
The Nets are 15-5 when Aldridge scores in double digits, and 5-1 when he cracks 20 factors.
If Aldridge can’t play — or even when he’s compromised and at lower than one hundred pc — it might open the door for Nic Claxton.
The younger third-year middle is coming off his second-career double-double Saturday with 13 factors and a career-high-tying 10 rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench. He cracked double figures for a career-high-tying third straight recreation, and after coming off the bench against the Clippers, might be in line to start out Monday.
Claxton comes into the Memphis tilt averaging 13.8 factors on 72.2 % taking pictures over his final six appearances, together with 6.5 boards, 2.2 blocks and 1.3 assists.
And after early-season conditioning woes — partly exacerbated by a non-COVID illness — Claxton has not solely posted his three highest level totals of the season on this six-game stretch, however topped half-hour in three of his final 4 video games, the primary three 30-plus minute video games of his NBA profession.
Patty Mills’ importance to the Nets as their greatest ground spacer with Harris out was underscored when he fouled out of Saturday’s loss to the Clippers and the offense floor to a halt.
In his final 21 video games — since Nov. 14 at Oklahoma Metropolis, when Harris received damage — Mills has averaged 17.4 factors on 43.7 % taking pictures from 3-point vary in 34.4 minutes. He’s a team-high plus-149.
Mills has shot 48.1 % from 3 within the Nets’ wins, however 33.3 % within the losses.
“In fact it hurts with out Joe Harris, so Patty’s taking pictures turns into so necessary to us,” Steve Nash stated. “Not solely shot making, however ground spacing.”
James Harden comes into Monday off back-to-back 30-point triple-doubles. There have solely been three cases in league historical past of a participant having three straight: 5 in a row for Russell Westbrook (March 26-April 2, 2017) and three straight for Westbrook (Feb. 26-March 4, 2015) and Michael Jordan (March 28-31, 1989).
Irving sitting courtside at Seton Hall’s loss to Villanova raised some eyebrows, contemplating the NBA’s guidelines towards unvaccinated gamers collaborating in a number of indoor actions. However there may be language expressly permitting actions in uncommon conditions throughout the protocols which might be passable to physicians.
