Heading into Thursday’s game in Denver against the Nuggets, the Nets were already without Caris LeVert, knowing he had ligament damage in his right thumb. Now Brooklyn will be without its starting shooting guard for four to six weeks following his surgery.
There was a chance the entire Nets backcourt would be sidelined against Denver. On Wednesday, Brooklyn announced Kyrie Irving was questionable to play against the Nuggets due to a right shoulder impingement. Thursday afternoon, Irving was upgraded to probable and has now been declared active by the Nets.
Thursday could also mark the first time Irving plays alongside Iman Shumpert since the two played in Cleveland together for the Cavaliers. (Though that seems like a big if, given Shumpert hasn’t been with a team.) Following the development of the extent of LeVert’s injury, the Nets signed Shumpert to fill the extra 16th roster spot, which the Nets are allowed as a result of Wilson Chandler’s suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy.