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[Saba Sports News] The Brooklyn Nets kick off a six-game West Coast swing with some good news: Ben Simmons will return to the lineup against the Denver Nuggets on Friday after missing three games due to calf soreness and lower back injury management.
The Nets have struggled without a lead ball-handler, as D’Angelo Russell (left shin contusion) and Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain) remain sidelined. Russell won’t play against Denver, while Thomas will be reevaluated post-trip.
Simmons’ return provides a much-needed boost to Brooklyn’s offense, which has ranked last in the league over the last three games. The three-time All-Star has taken on an expanded role as the team’s starting point guard, averaging 8.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 29.5 minutes across his last seven games before his absence.
The injury bug hasn’t stopped there. Cam Johnson will miss his fourth straight game on Friday with a right ankle sprain, his second of the season. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez indicated Johnson could return during the road trip but emphasized caution.
Johnson has been an offensive standout this season, averaging 19.5 points on 50/44/90 shooting splits and leading the NBA in effective field goal percentage among high-volume shooters (62.4%).
Trendon Watford will also remain sidelined, missing his 12th consecutive game due to a left hamstring strain. Watford, who has appeared in 13 games this season, will be reevaluated on Saturday.
The Nets are looking to bounce back from a rough stretch, having lost six of their last seven games. Their slump has pushed them to sixth in the draft lottery standings, tied with the Portland Trail Blazers and just behind the Utah Jazz.
Interestingly, Brooklyn will face both teams during their upcoming road trip, making it a pivotal stretch for the team’s trajectory.