11:06 am
The Brooklyn Nets are expecting to have enough players for their Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers despite having three more players enter protocols.
Nets coach Steve Nash said that while Harden, Millsap and Carter have been cleared, others have entered health and safety protocols. Despite the fact that the Nets have not been able to practice as a group this week due to a COVID-19 outbreak that has seen as many as 13 Nets enter protocols, Nash expects the Christmas game with the Lakers to start at 8 p.m. To still be on from the Nets' perspective.
Nash said that he didn't expect any other Nets to be cleared in time to play on Saturday. The players went into health and safety protocols from December 14 to December 18.
Nash said that it is possible that other people will come out of protocols in time for the Christmas Day game. You have to do two negative tests in 24 hours. We will return two negatives tonight and tomorrow night, but we are not predicting anyone to come out.
The Nets will fly to Los Angeles on Friday with a minimum of eight players.
Nash said they have enough to play. We signed four G League guys. We have to get plenty to eight.
Nets player Millsap was the first to enter health and safety protocols. Harden, Johnson, Carter, Brown, Bembry, and Aldridge followed. The Nets decided to let Irving return as a part-time player for road games only. But then the three players entered protocols on December 18.
Nash said that once Irving is cleared from protocols, the point guard still has to ramp up in order to return to an NBA game. Due to New York City's requirement for players in New York to have a vaccine, the Nets decided not to have Irving with the team during the preseason.
Nash said that Irving will need to do some sort of ramp-up before he can return to action. It's a lot different when you work out by yourself. It depends on what you're doing, but usually individual workouts are half-court and 1-on0-0, one-on-one, maybe he gets a little bit of pickup basketball, but that probably was out the window once everyone starts playing again.
"So there is an opportunity for him to play a little bit, whether it's with our group or the stay-Ready group whenever he's out of protocols." There is a ramp-up for sure.
The Nets played against Denver, Washington and Portland in December.
Nash said the Nets had to shut everything down. "After we got back to a normal rhythm, healthy guys could do 1-on0 workouts but no group workouts." Guys are back on the court after a day off. And in isolation.
It's difficult. We haven't been able to do much, but we do what we can and we will continue to adapt as the rules and mandates come in.
Nash said that the three latest Nets to enter protocols -- Thomas, Duke and Edwards -- have been "largely asymptomatic" or had no symptoms. Nash said that the team wasn't sure if center Nic Claxton would be able to play this weekend after he hurt his wrist in the Nets' last game. Joe Harris, who underwent ankle surgery, will not return on this trip, according to Nash.
