NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets are still in the race for the 10th and final seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, but the amount of time they have is dwindling. As Brooklyn attempts to continue its winning ways, it seeks to do so without two key rotation players, but they are progressing towards a return.
“They’re progressing well,” Nets interim head coach Kevin Ollie said of forward Cam Johnson (left big toe sprain) and guard Dennis Smith Jr. (right hip synovitis) prior to Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls. Both players have been ruled out for Friday’s tilt against the Bulls and that marks their third consecutive game that they have missed with their respective injuries.
“I know CJ (Johnson) sees our docs tonights or tomorrow and we’ll get an update on him,” Ollie said. “June (Smith) is still kind of working through through that injection and (we) look forward to seeing him come back on the court. Hopefully soon.”
Brooklyn’s injury report is getting lengthy these days as Johnson and Smith are out in addition to season-ending injuries to Ben Simmons, Dariq Whitehead, and Keita Bates-Diop. As the Nets try to finish this season strong in the hopes of making the postseason, they will be hoping for a quick return of Johnson and Smith.
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