NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets center Nick Claxton has missed the Nets’ past two games, with the team citing “personal reasons” that keep him out of the rotation. Brooklyn has seen backup center Daron Sharpe take over Claxton’s role and perform well, and the good news is that Claxton will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.
“He’s on his way back, he’s not here [at practice] today, but he’ll be back here sometime today. Nets head coach Jordy Fernandez said of Claxton after Tuesday’s practice. Fernandez did not elaborate on the reason for Claxton’s departure from the team, but with his return later Tuesday, it appears the entire starting lineup will be back Wednesday.
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“Yeah,” Fernandez said when asked if Claxton would be available for Wednesday’s game against the Magic. The 26-year-old Claxton is having arguably the best season of his career, averaging 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 58.2% from the field and 67.4% from the free throw line. Sharpe has been performing so well in his absence that one might wonder what the possibilities will be when the two return.
“From the summer he had, he did a great job taking care of his body, improving his body,” Fernandez said of Sharpe. “Now that you’re seeing more playing time, how he’s been able to keep working hard and being efficient, his playmaking, he’s reduced his turnovers, he’s improved his effective field goal percentage, all of that growth has been amazing.”
With Claxton back in the lineup Wednesday against the Magic, Sharp will be pushed back to his usual spot as backup center, but that will only add to Brooklyn’s rotation. Claxton will be at full strength against Magic centers Wendell Carter Jr. and Gorga Bitadze, but Brooklyn should be rested against Orlando with forward Franz Wagner (ankle) out and guard Jalen Suggs (knee) also likely to miss the game.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets’ Nick Claxton (personal reasons) to return Wednesday against Magic
