Michael Porter, Nic Clacton headline long injury report for tank matchup against Wizards
The Brooklyn Nets will be seriously shorthand against on Friday Washington Wizards in a game with significant tank implications. Michael Porter Jr. will be shut out for his second straight game after missing Thursday’s 120-96 loss to the Houston Rockets due to illness. The Nets also ruled Nic Clacton (personal reasons) i Cam Thomas (left hamstring injury management) for the match.
Egor Demin is available after missing Thursday’s loss to the Houston Rockets with lower back soreness. Terrance Mann is likely after sitting out Thursday with a right hip contusion.
The Nets have lost their last two games after going 7-3, dropping them to sixth in the lottery standings. The Wizards’ game on Friday will be a great opportunity for them to regain upper positions in the NBA tank race.
The Nets are without their top three contributors during a tank matchup against the Wizards
After two straight losses, the Nets moved to fifth in the draft lottery standings, 2.5 games behind the fourth-place Wizards. meanwhile, The Wizards have won five of their last nine games after the start of 3-20.
Washington will have most of its rotation available against the Nets. Keeshon George (left hip flexor; strain), Corey Kispert (left hamstring; strain) and Cam Whitmore (right shoulder; deep vein thrombosis) remain sidelined amid extended absences.
The Nets’ ability to compete will take a significant hit with Porter Jr., Clacton and Thomas. Porter Jr. has been the impetus for Brooklyn’s improved play during the last month. The Nets have gone 10-10 in their last 20 games with the forward in the lineup. However, they are 0-5 while averaging 103.4 points in the games he has missed.
Claxton, meanwhile, is off to one of the best starts of his career, averaging 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.3 blocks on 58.2 percent shooting. On Friday, the veteran center will mark the first missed game of the season.
Thomas averaged 21.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 turnovers on 55/39/87 shooting in 20.4 minutes a night while coming off the bench in Brooklyn’s last three games.
The Wizards are 3.5-point favorites against the Nets, according to bookmaker FanDuel.
2026-01-02 17:18:00
