Cam Thomas will make a long-awaited return from injury with the trade deadline looming

Cam Thomas makes his long-awaited return to Brooklyn Nets‘ lineup. Jordi Fernandes announced it Thomas, who has been sidelined since November 5 due to a left hamstring strain, will play Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Thomas’ return comes amid a dramatic turnaround in Brooklyn following his absence. The Nets are 9-12 after the injury to the fifth-year guard. They went 0-7 to start the season with him in the lineup.

Thomas dominated the ball offensively during that span, posting a 31.5 percent shooting percentage, 18th-highest in the NBA. He average 24.4 points1.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists on .408/.356/.875 shooting.

While Thomas is Brooklyn’s only high-level creator, the team’s offense has been relatively flat in his absence.

Cam Thomas returns to the Nets lineup after a months-long hamstring injury

The Nets posted a 113.0 offensive rating during their 0-7 start. They posted a 111.3 rating in their last 21 games.

Michael Porter Jr. emerged as an All-Star candidate during that stretch, averaging 27.3 points – 11th in the NBA – on 50/42/83 shooting. Young prospects such as Noah Clowney, Egor Demin, Danny Wolf and Drake Powell also showed promise during this period.

Meanwhile, the Nets’ defense has seen an incredible turnaround since Thomas’ injury.

They ranked last with a 128.5 defensive rating during their 0-7 start. With Noah Clowney filling in for the injured Thomas in Brooklyn’s starting lineup, the team ranks sixth in the NBA with a 111.7 rating. The Nets hold the league’s best defense in December as they go 6-3.

Fernandez recently admitted that his team has improved its game since Thomas’ injury when asked how the guard will fit in upon his return.

“That’s a good question,” Coach. “The context is different (now). Before Cam got hurt, obviously his superpower was an ability that he had to achieve. At the same time, we always want to see playmaking efficiency and defensive improvement. So all those things were important at the time. Now that he’s out, the team continues to get better and play in a (good) way… But the skill set, he’s at the same time, he’s very good, at the same time, he’s very good in the group. stairs.

“For the most part, I’m very happy with the whole group. And now when he comes back, it’s going to be up to me to figure out how we get him into the group, and thinking the most important thing is always the group. And from there, it’s (that) you’re willing to do whatever it takes to help the group and obviously improve yourself. That’s how you’re going to succeed.

It is unclear whether Thomas will start or come off the bench on Saturday. Demin has shown promise since entering Brooklyn’s starting lineup as a point guard. Meanwhile, Terence Mann has started every game this season as the team’s oldest player. The Nets also have a loaded second-unit backcourt rotation, including Powell, Nolan Traore and Tyrese Martin.

Thomas’ future with Brooklyn is up in the air after turning down a two-year, $15 million contract with a team option this summer in favor of his $6 million qualifying offer. The former first-round pick will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and has a no-trade clause this season.