As the Brooklyn Nets look to move on from an extremely disappointing loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, they will have to head into Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz without a key piece.
Starting shooting guard Caris LeVert suffered a right thumb sprain in Sunday’s loss that will keep him out of Tuesday’s matchup with the Jazz. LeVert is averaging 16.8 points, five rebounds and four assists at this early going of the season. His versatility will be missed against Utah, especially on the defensive end in terms of defending star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Nets starting lineup is gonna have a little shakeup in Utah. Caris LeVert has a right thumb sprain and has been ruled out.
— Nick Friar (@Nick_Friar) November 11, 2019
LeVert will get an MRI on his injured thumb and the team will know more about his future availability once they get the results.
Caris says he’ll have an MRI today or tomorrow. Got hit in the second quarter of last night’s game with the Suns.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) November 11, 2019
In terms of options to replace LeVert in the lineup, coach Kenny Atkinson can turn to Garrett Temple if he’s looking for a defensive option or perhaps he could roll with Spencer Dinwiddie to get more offensive firepower in the lineup alongside Kyrie Irving.
Whatever option Atkinson uses, it will have to help Brooklyn get back on track. The loss to the Suns on Sunday was unacceptable for a team with the expectations that they have. [lawrence-related id=3097,3110,3103]