After sitting three games, Nic Claxton returned to the court Friday, but he also revealed his back issue is ‘long-term.’
After missing three games with “lower back strain,” Nic Claxton came off the bench Friday vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. In 22 minutes, the Brooklyn Nets’ six-year veteran scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds. No blocks, but he shot 6-of-9. A solid return.
However…
In talking to beat writers before the game, the 25-year-old revealed he is dealing with a “long-term” back issue that he’ll be “managing for a while.”
“Everybody always manages something, but this I’ll probably be managing for a while,” said Claxton, said he had hurt his back during the off-season. He didn’t provide details.
“Yeah, I mean, it was just the summer. I initially hurt my back in the summer. So, my back has been lingering since then and it’s definitely been frustrating. It’s always a different challenge. Of course, the back is tough because it controls everything you do, pretty much. But it’s just another challenge. So, I’ve just gotta lock in and be ready to hoop.”
Indeed, the 6’11” big received an epidural injection, a spinal pain-killer, while he was out. For a player who just signed a four-year, near $100 million contract, that has to be a bit concerning although with the Nets in a rebuild, it’s the out-years that are more significant for the team and player.
Claxton didn’t discuss much about how he thought the injury management would play out. Asked if he thought he’d be on a minutes restriction, Claxton said he wasn’t certain.
“I don’t really know. This year has been kind of up and down. Just being ready for whatever minutes that I’m able to play, being ready to go and adjusting to that,” he said, adding, “It’s like a long-term thing, but it’s gonna take a while for it to feel a lot better. Just strengthening my core, glutes and everything.”
There were no details on how long is “long-term” or whether he will continue to come off the bench or be limited in back-to-backs. The Nets fly to the West Coast this weekend for games Sunday vs. the Sacramento Kings and Monday vs. the Golden State Warriors. then they’ll be in Phoenix Wednesday vs. the Suns (likely with Kevin Durant from his own calf injury) before heading back to Brooklyn to meet up the Orlando Magic next Friday. It’s a short but grueling trip.
Jordi Fernandez didn’t offer much in terms of detail either, saying, “The team, the medical team, and performance, they’ve been addressing it. And obviously if he plays, it’s because we believe he is 100% or 200% to play,” Fernandez said.
The Nets, of course, have been down one big the whole season. Day’Ron Sharpe has been troubled by a hamstring strain since early October and he won’t even get involved in team activities for another week or so. No word on how long after that he’ll be in basketball shape and ready to play.
Although he played last night, Cam Thomas also admitted he wasn’t 100%. In addition to the lower back tightness that kept him out for the Charlotte Hornet game, Thomas admitted he’s dealing with an illness.
“It’s just sickness,” Thomas said. “I’m good enough to play. So if I’m out there, I just gotta put my best foot forward and play to the best of my abilities. [If] I wasn’t good enough to play, I wouldn’t be out there.”
- Nic Claxton’s back injury will be ‘long-term’ Nets issue: ‘Managing for a while’ – Brian Lewis – New York Post
- Nets Notebook: Nic Claxton returns from 3-game absence ($) – C.J. Holmes – New York Daily News
- Nets’ Nic Claxton makes “long-term” back injury admission after receiving epidural – Erik Slater – Clutch Points