Injury Report: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Brooklyn Nets
In this story:
The Brooklyn Nets will play their first game since trading superstar guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. It's the first step to moving on from the unfulfilled 7/11 era of basketball, and there are two injury question marks.
The Nets have ruled Ben Simmons (left knee soreness) as questionable vs. the Clippers. Simmons, who has missed four-straight games with the injury, will not be cleared by the organization until the soreness and swelling in his right knee are gone. Head coach Jacque Vaughn did not express concern when he last spoke about Simmons' knee.
“With Ben, we are just cautious with our approach. At the end of the day we are just talking about having guys healthy at the end of the year," Vaughn told reporters in a virtual meeting on Friday morning. "Ben did experience some soreness and we want to make sure that soreness and swelling are out of there as he gets ready to get back on the court."
Outside of the point forward, veteran wing T.J. Warren has been deemed doubtful with a left shin contusion. He has missed the past four games with the injury and Brooklyn will certainly hold a cautious approach with him.
In wake of the Irving deal with Dallas, the team has listed the guard and Markieff Morris both out due to not being with the team. It is expected that the two players acquired in the deal - Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith - could make their Nets debut on Tuesday night vs. the Phoenix Suns. It's likely their debuts will be accomplished on Thursday night.
The Los Angeles Clippers will be near full strength against Brooklyn at Barclays Center on Monday night. The team has ruled John Wall (abdominal soreness) out vs. the Nets.
