Nets will face Timberwolves without Caris LeVert

Caris LeVert is close to returning, but Monday will not be the day Brooklyn Nets fans get to see the guard back on the floor.

Unlike Kyrie Irving (right shoulder impingement), Caris LeVert (right thumb surgery) is with the Brooklyn Nets for the team’s ongoing three-game road trip. Given he participated in contact portions of practice leading up to Christmas and he is on the trip, it seems LeVert’s return to game action is on the horizon.

However, Monday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves will not be the day the Nets get their starting shooting guard back. LeVert had been ruled out for the second game of the three-game road trip.

In addition to LeVert and Irving, Nic Claxton (left hamstring soreness) remains unavailable for the Nets. Like the two guards, the Nets rookie’s timeline to return is unclear.

Claxton last played in a game on December 9, for the Long Island Nets. He hasn’t played for Brooklyn since the Nets visited the Boston Celtics on Thanksgiving Eve.

Irving last played on November 14, LeVert on November 10.

Monday’s matchup marks the second and final time the Nets play the Timberwolves in 2019-20. They last met up on opening night. Minnesota won the game 127-126 in overtime.