D’Angelo Russell ruled out Suns matchup as Nets’ injury battle continues

The Brooklyn Nets will be without its leading ball handler on Wednesday vs Phoenix Suns. D’Angelo Russell will be ruled out due to left hamstring strain/injury for the second night of back-to-back games.

Russell has struggled to stay on the floor since joining the Nets in a Dec. 29 trade from the Los Angeles Lakers. He missed six of the team’s last 13 games while battling hamstring and shin problems. The veteran point guard handled much more of the ball than he did with the Lakers during the first half of this season.

The transition was hard on his body.

“For me, my body is not prepared for this.” “I haven’t prepared for this all season, all summer, so it’s an adjustment for me,” Russell said after Tuesday’s 99-95 loss to the New York Knicks. “And my body is adjusting.” I just (have to) keep listening to the training staff. They put me in the best position to adjust mid-season and not be vulnerable.

Despite battling injuries upon his return to Brooklyn, Russell has been effective when on the floor.

D’Angelo Russell ruled out for Nets-Suns matchup with hamstring ailment

The 28-year-old averaged 14.6 points per game on 40/37/96 shooting while playing a starring role. Since joining the Nets, he ranks seventh in the NBA in assists (8.3 per game) and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.95) among the 26 players averaging over six steals per game. After his role diminished earlier this season with the Lakers, Russell said he was playing “free basketball” with Brooklyn and “will never take it for granted again.”

Russell had 23 points, 10 assists and three turnovers to finish with a team-best +5 on Tuesday against the Knicks. He has posted a -0.6 box plus-minus since joining Brooklyn, the team’s best mark among players averaging over 20 minutes a night.

Cam Thomas and Trendon Watford will be sidelined against the Suns with a hamstring injury. The Nets could be in a tough spot against them Ben Simmons (illness) and Cam Johnson (sprained right ankle) are doubtful.

Brooklyn has lost nine of its last 10 games against Phoenix. The cold stretch pushed the team to sixth in the lottery standings, half a game behind the Charlotte Hornets in fifth and two behind the New Orleans Pelicans in fourth.