Injured Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie has been pushing all year to make it back from his ACL injury in time to contribute in the playoffs, but head coach Steve Nash isn’t counting on having Dinwiddie available in the postseason, as Brian Lewis of The New York Post writes.
“I don’t think so,” Nash said. “We haven’t seen him since the turn of the year almost. It’s very difficult to, one, expose him to full NBA playoff basketball with the type of injury he has. We want to look out for his long-term health, first and foremost. And second of all, adapting back to the team environment.”
Dinwiddie suffered a partial tear of his ACL in just the third game of the season on December 27. ACL injuries are typically season-enders, but the fact that Dinwiddie only sustained a partial tear and was able to go under the knife quickly created some hope that he wouldn’t have to wait until 2021/22 to return. While Nash didn’t rule out that possibility, he’s skeptical that the veteran guard will be part of Brooklyn’s playoff rotation.
“It seems like it’s probably very unlikely,” Nash said, per Lewis. “But who knows? Stranger things have happened.”
Here’s more on the NBA’s two New York teams:
- The Nets, who have lost their last three games, don’t view James Harden‘s eventual return as a cure-all, writes Peter Botte of The New York Post. Having seen Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving play together in just seven games this season, Brooklyn is still hoping there will be a chance to establish some continuity in the coming weeks, as Malika Andrews of ESPN details.
- Knicks center Nerlens Noel is expected to return for Wednesday’s game vs. Denver, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Noel was sidelined on Monday after spraining his left ankle on Sunday.
- Although the Knicks announced Jared Harper‘s new contract with the team on Monday as a second 10-day contract, Hoops Rumors has confirmed via a source that it was actually a two-way deal, as our JD Shaw first reported. That means no corresponding move will be necessary for New York to complete the signing of Luca Vildoza, since New York has an opening on its 15-man roster.
I want Dinwiddie in NY as a Knickerbocker…….
Playing only seven times this season. Should make Sixers and Bucks vet hungry. Nets going well can beat you just by out scoring you. You can slow down KD n Harden by playing them full court. Kyrie is harder to do that. Play D and use the clock. And Nets can be beat. It’s that simple. Plus I post KD n Harden all day both don’t play post D. Get in foul trouble and beat them up Bully Ball …… I want the Nets in 2nd rd. We don’t win but it will be loads of fun scaring the snot out of them.
How much can the Knicks offer to Lonzo Ball so they can steal him from Pelicans offseason?
4 years $110 million is enough?
I wonder what the market is for a guy like Noel. I know he is a having a great season, but I just can’t see a team giving him more than 5-6m per year just cause he can block a shot.
I’m hoping Noel stays but he will be chasing bigger dollars. I would love Dinwiddie on NY but I doubt he leaves Brooklyn. Besides the way Rose is playing why break up a good thing.
To start! He’s had a year down.
It’s risky seeking a team with need though. Jeremy Lin left NY for a team needing a PG, but they then turned around and got someone they liked more.
Dinwiddie is a big scoring PG. 20 n 7 last yr. He plays D too, Thibs type player. Rose can still backup with Quickly. Payton is gone or can use him in trade. Knicks are going to get a starting PG. Dinwiddie is a FA and will get offers. I’m not sure about Ball. His attitude this yr has kind of scared me away. Imo Knicks will get a PG and another scorer. This will be major step up for team.
I’m optimistic that Noel will strongly consider coming back. Thibs respects him, and the Thibs’ system fits him and will always provide him with a solid 20 mpg role in which he can excel. I don’t see him doing much better monetarily or in terms of role. If he can do better, then, at his age, he needs to jump at it.
Dinwiddie is a virtual lock to opt out and leave the Nets, assuming there’s no set back in his recovery. At this stage of his career, he’ll likely take the highest multi-year offer. I don’t see that being the Knicks. But if nothing else emerges (and PG is unlikely to be addressable in the draft down where they’ll be picking), they almost have to kick the tires on him.