The Brooklyn Nets are preparing for their third NBA Cup matchup of the 2024-25 season against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets have dealt with significant injury woes, as Cam Thomas missed the team's Nov. 19 win over the Charlotte Hornets with lower back tightness. In addition, Nic Claxton remains out with a lower back strain. However, the two starters along with Dorian Finney-Smith received key updates.
Thomas is probable for Friday's 76ers game, while Claxton and Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) are questionable for the matchup, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints reported on Thursday.
Getting some or all three of their starters back for the game would help the Nets tremendously. Cam Thomas is Brooklyn's leading scorer averaging a career-high 24.6 points on 45.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent on his three-pointers. Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith and Nic Claxton are two of the Nets' most important defenders.
Hopefully, each player will undergo speedy injury recoveries with no setbacks.
The Nets proved they have the depth to stay afloat in their win over Charlotte on Tuesday. Dennis Schroder stepped up with 14 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Furthermore, Ben Simmons had one of his best outings of the year, scoring a season-high 10 points to go with nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
If Thomas, Claxton, and Finney-Smith remain out, Brooklyn will still have what it takes to compete hard.
Nets must be careful with hungry 76ers
The 76ers will enter Friday's game at 2-12, which is the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Between the injury woes of Joel Embiid and Paul George, and reported leaked team meeting conversations, the Sixers are dealing with a lot. Yet, the Nets cannot take them lightly.
Philly is on a five-game losing streak, so they will be desperate for a win at home on Friday. Outside of Embiid and George, Brooklyn needs to keep tabs on Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.
Through his first eight games, Maxey is averaging 25.1 points and a career-high 1.4 steals per game, while the rookie McCain averages 15.1 points on a red-hot 41.0 percent three-point shooting clip. Dennis Schroder will have his hands full guarding one or both of Philly's guards, but he should have Brooklyn's wings as backup.
The Nets sit third in the East Group C NBA Cup standings and look to get more points and rise the rankings with a hopeful win over Philadelphia on Friday.