While Blake Griffin and Jeff Green continue to strangle their own on the Nets big man minutes, the mystery around young Nick Claxton deepens.
Under the auspices of the Health and Safety Protocol, a second-year center in Indianapolis, Claxon missed Thursday for the sixth consecutive game. All it takes is a NBA catch-all phrase related to COVID, it is a positive test or just simple contact tracing quarantine.
Asked if Klaxon’s absence was more than just quarantine, coach Steve Nash responded, “I can’t comment on Nick’s situation.”
Kevin Durant served two quarantines before this season, and Tyler Johnson also spent time in protocol, all lasting seven days. But there are no hard and fast rules; Some are long and others are short. Young Nets big men Reggie Perry and Aliz Johnson fall into the latter category, with Klaxon trapped in the east.
Claxton – who has been the Nets’ best defender at times – last played in Miami on April 18, and went into protocol the following day. On Thursday, the 11th day Claxon spent in protocol.
The Nets took an afternoon flight from Newark to Miami on April 17, which was Claxton’s birthday. After playing an afternoon game against the Heat the next day, they flew later, not departing for New Orleans until the afternoon of April 19. Claxon and Perry went to protocol that evening.
Perry came out as soon as he entered. He was sidelined for just two days and missed only one game. Johnson departed on April 23, and has now been upgraded to Q&A to make a comeback on Thursday vs. the Pacers.
The league’s system is Byzantine, and the Nets offered no clarity on why the situation at Claxon is so different from that of the other two young big men. The only thing that is clear is to return to the Miami trip.
“I believe it’s the same [root cause]. But you will need an encyclopedia to know this. “I’m not entirely positive, but I believe it’s all coming back to the Miami trip.”
Since the Griffin Nets’ debut on March 21, he leads the team in offensive ratings (119.9), net ratings (11.1) and plus / minus (+79). The veteran has drawn a team-high 10 charges as a net and topped the NBA at 21 this season.
Bruce Brown (right knee), James Harden (right hamstring strain), Spencer Dinwiddie (ACL) and Chris Chozza (right hand) are out for the Nets on Thursday.
Chiozza is on a two-way deal, and it is unclear whether he will return in time for the playoffs. If not, with Mike James disqualified for the post season, until the Nets convert their 10-day into a two-way or standard deal, it could entail some tough decisions.
Goga Bitadez (left ankle), Jeremy Lamb (left knee) are suspected for paces, while Domantas Sabonis (lower back) and Mile Turner (right toe) are out.
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