Nets to face Cavaliers without Nic Claxton following practice injury
· Yahoo Sports
Nic Claxton won’t be available as the Nets return from the All-Star break.
Brooklyn ruled the 26-year-old center out for Thursday’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena because of a right ankle sprain. Claxton suffered the injury during Wednesday’s practice in Brooklyn, and the team hasn’t provided a timetable for his return. The severity of the sprain also remains unclear.
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Claxton has been one of the Nets’ most reliable presences this season. He’s appeared in 50 of the Nets’ 53 games, averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 59% from the field. His ability to anchor the paint, facilitate from the elbows and switch defensively has made him a central figure in Brooklyn’s nightly rotation.
The center was already sidelined ahead of the break, missing the Nets’ 115-110 loss to the Indiana Pacers because of right hip soreness. That night opened the door for Day’Ron Sharpe, who drew his fourth start of the season and delivered one of his most complete performances. Sharpe finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 31 minutes, showcasing the activity and passing that have defined his role when he’s elevated into the starting group.
Sharpe’s increased minutes have also helped spark a growing chemistry with rookie guard Egor Dëmin, particularly in handoff and pick-and-roll actions.
“Day’Ron is special,” Dëmin said. “His superpower is rebounding. A lot of his points are putbacks and those aren’t easy. I joke with him that the last couple of weeks he’s been looking for me a lot coming off handoffs and ball screens, and I tell him when he sets screens, I’m going to find him. The more you play together, the more confidence you build, and he makes the game easier for everybody.”
Sharpe has been productive in those opportunities throughout the season. As a starter, he’s averaged 13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks, offering Brooklyn a blend of interior scoring, playmaking and defensive disruption that’s helped stabilize the frontcourt when Claxton isn’t available. His presence figures to be critical again Thursday as the Nets navigate Claxton’s latest setback.
“When I get opportunities to capitalize on opportunity,” Sharpe said. “Can’t control my minutes but whenever I do get minutes capitalize off of it.”
Brooklyn’s depth will be slightly thinner beyond Sharpe, with newly acquired Josh Minott and rookie Ben Saraf both remaining on G League assignment. That leaves the Nets to lean on their available frontcourt options as they open the final stretch of the season.
Claxton’s status will be worth monitoring in the coming days, particularly given his importance to Brooklyn’s defensive identity and offensive flow. For now, the Nets will move forward without their starting center as they face a Cleveland team that presents a physical interior challenge.