Inside The Nets

GAME PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs Washington Wizards

The Brooklyn Nets are ready to bounce back in this upcoming game against the Washington Wizards.
Peter Sunjic|
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have a golden chance to bounce back in a game against the Washington Wizards. They are fresh off a big loss to the Boston Celtics in the In-Season Tournament. Nets want to bounce back from that result by playing against the 2-6 Washington Wizards.

This will be an opportunity for them to get back on track after the lopsided game against Boston, which they lost 114-124. They are still without two starters, Ben Simmons and top scorer Cameron Thomas, who are vital to their plans.

The Nets can build momentum from this game

The Wizards have not been a good team to start the 2023/24 season. They have struggled out of the gate, especially their presumed top scorer, Jordan Poole. He is only scoring 17 points per game while shooting 41.7% from the field and 30% from three. He is not playing well, but he can always explode for a 30-point game when he catches fire.

The Nets will make sure he has a hard time scoring, especially with their pesky defenders. Mikal Bridges will take the primary assignment, and he’s considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. If he has to rest on the bench, the Nets can deploy another elite defender Dennis Smith Jr. in his place to defend Poole.

The rest of the Wizards are talented players, but they do not have the same scoring ability as Poole. Kyle Kuzma can have a good time in this game, but Cameron Johnson will make him work for his points. Kuzma himself is having a good and efficient season, scoring 24 points per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc.

Injury report

Nic Claxton is back and healthy for the Nets, ready to suit up for the first time since the season opener. Cam Thomas is still nursing his ankle injury, while his starting backcourt mate Ben Simmons will also miss out on the Wizards game as he continues to recover from his hip issue.

On the other side, the Wizards have one player on the injury report, with Delon Wright set to miss four-to-six weeks due to a knee injury.

The game will be played at Barclays Center, and the Nets want to make it two in a row at their home court after starting the 2023/24 season slowly.

Cam Johnson is Glad to be Back and Healthy

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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