Drake Powell returns from his third sprained ankle of the season after missing two games
Brooklyn Nets Rookie Drake Powell’s third sprained ankle of the season will last him just two games. After missing Brooklyn’s wins over the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, Powell is set to return Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Powell injured his right ankle during the first quarter loss to the Miami Heat on December 18. The No. 22 pick sprained the same ankle twice earlier this season, causing him to miss six games. Despite that, Jordi Fernandez said the Nets aren’t worried about rookies recent ankle injury.
The 19-year-old’s return to the lineup comes amid a dramatic turnaround for the Nets, who have won six of their last nine games.
Drake Powell returns to the Nets lineup after missing two games with injuries
Powell has been a bright spot for a Nets team that has an NBA-record five rookie first-round picks. A product of North Carolina is on average 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists on .475/.378/.952 shooting in 15 games in which he played more than 10 minutes. He has become a staple of Brooklyn’s second unit over the past two months.
However, with Cam Thomas returns to the lineup on Saturday against the Timberwolves, the Nets will have fewer minutes in the backcourt. Egor Demin and Terrance Mann have been Brooklyn’s starting guards for most of the season, while Powell, Tyrese Martin and Nolan Traore have been off the bench lately.
Whether Thomas’ return will affect the minutes of Powell and the other Nets starters will be the main story to watch entering Saturday’s road matchup. Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after turning down a two-year, $30 million contract that includes a team option in favor of his $6 million qualifying offer.
2025-12-27 05:20:00
