The Nets are missing key players against the Blazers, impacting their lottery chances.
Russell has been sidelined for four games due to a shin injury, while Johnson has missed five games with an ankle sprain. The Nets haven’t won since Johnson got hurt, which isn’t great for their chances.
Ben Simmons is also likely to miss one of the next two games. He’s still not cleared for back-to-backs, with the Clippers game coming up soon. After returning from his own injury, Simmons had decent games but exceeded his minutes limit in the last one.
Coach Jordi Fernandez praised Simmons for his engagement and efficiency on the court. He emphasized the importance of player health and won’t risk anyone if there’s a chance of injury.
Simmons is focused on the game against Portland and is taking care of his body. Russell, on the other hand, is uncertain about his future but is feeling good.
Other players like Bojan Bogdanovic and De’Anthony Melton are also out due to injuries. However, Tosan Evbuomwan has been stepping up, scoring a career-high 22 points recently.
The Nets have been drawing a lot of charges this season, showing a significant improvement from last year. It’s going to be a tough game, but they’re trying to stay positive.
