An undisclosed illness has sidelined Nets center Nicolas Claxton for about three weeks, and he tells Brian Lewis of The New York Post that he hopes to return soon. Claxton missed more than two weeks with COVID-19 late last season, but was asymptomatic and said he’s not dealing with any long-term effects. He said he lost a lot of weight from the most recent ailment, but is now in the “ramp-up stage” and is preparing to play again.
“I was sick. That’s the extent I want to go with,” Claxton said. “I was sick. But I’m feeling better now. I’m getting back to where I need to be so I can get out there and play. I’m excited to get back out there with my teammates.”
Claxton was one of Brooklyn’s best defenders last season, Lewis notes, and would be a welcome addition for a team that needs help in the middle. The Nets are starting Blake Griffin as an undersized center with LaMarcus Aldridge as the backup.
There’s more from New York City:
- The Nets‘ offense has stagnated and Kevin Durant admitted this week that the absence of Kyrie Irving is part of the problem, Lewis adds in a separate story. Brooklyn set an NBA record for offensive rating last season at 117.3, but currently ranks 25th in the league at 101.0. “Yeah, we do miss Kyrie. We do,” Durant said. “He’s a part of our team. But for the most part, we’ve been generating great shots, we’ve been getting into the paint. It’s just a matter of us knocking them down. I think they’ll come.”
- Knicks center Nerlens Noel was thrilled to be back on the court this afternoon following a 12-day absence, per Barbara Barker of Newsday. Noel, who has been dealing with a knee injury, had played only four games and taken just nine shots from the field before today. “Just having the rim protection that Nerlens provides is a big asset for us,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “… Taj (Gibson) did a good job when he was in there. But it’s good to have Nerlens back.”
- Kemba Walker sat out the first game of the Knicks‘ last back-to-back, but he played today and may be in the lineup again tomorrow, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic. The coaching staff plans to see how Walker feels Sunday morning before making a decision. “If he feels good, he’ll go,” Thibodeau said. “…You trust Kemba.”
Perhaps he is suffering from claxtonitis.
November 20 Vegas updated Championship odds
1. Nets
2. Warriors
3. Jazz
4. Lakers
5. Bucks
6. Heat
Last season Conference Finals teams are out.
Hawks
Suns
Clippers
Why? They don’t care if Suns are 50 wins in a row?
Lakers being on that list is absolutely laughable. The rest are fine.
I’d definitely replace them with the Suns, then the Hawks. I think they will get their act together, but health may be the bigger issue.
I think a lot of people are thinking they will get stuff on the buyout market, and remake the roster around LBJ until it works. I dont see it though since I dont think they can move on from Westbrick, and I dont know how much random vets helps on the margins.
Why the Hawks? It’s early, but they’re under .500 and have not dealt with the injuries that the Lakers have. They’re currently the 11th seed.
Everybody knows that CP3 will get injured by season end. He’s a great regular season player and his body will wear out by season end. Besides, he has choked almost every postseason.
Kyrie for Ben ——— get it done.
Neither team isn’t winning anything. Without them or a trade for them. Please save us from these boring two.
So this is for all the media geniuses. Who killed Knicks for not being able to sign Kyrie.
All of you don’t know squat……..
I wouldn’t want him on my G-league team
Having Noel is huge for us. Cause Mitch is still getting in game shape, I think. Knicks not playing as a team like last yr. And they have more talent. I don’t mind resting Kemba. But I’d like to see McBride get some run. Bulls game will fix this team. Cause they ain’t winning unless they play as a team. Both ways.
Thibs let’s get it together ……
Kyrie simply doesnt want to play basketball. He’s getting paid hald of his salary doing nothing. He’s career is basically over and he doesnt know it because no one will ever offer him multi year max contract again.
He basically has been taking advantage of Nets ever since he signed 3 yrs ago. I would have much more respect for him if he just retires because it’s clear he doesnt want to play basketball. He will be a damaged good even if he come back this year – he will just get some nagging injury right away and miss many games.
I blame his last season ending injury to inactivity throughout the year.
I’d like to see Walker sit out back to backs for awhile. If only because it’s one less guy who’s having issues on the defensive end.
I’d prefer Rose stay in his second unit role, vs disrupting the chemistry on both units. I’d start Quickley (he’s doing better and better finding teammates, and he gets our defense). Eventually, I’d consider starting McBride in these games. Each would give Barrett a chance to facilitate more.
Quickley is one of good stories this year. Better playmaker and making better decisions. Like how he looks out for Obi1.
Agreed. He’s come a long way.
Claxton a future All-Star. Gotta love Quickley. Obi1 will never develop with Randle on the team—gotta get him his minutes.