The Nets and D’Angelo Russell have been a match made in heaven for both sides this season.
The Nets needed a young talent to step into the role of becoming the face of their future. Russell needed a fresh start with a new team that believes in him.
After losing Jeremy Lin to a season-ending knee injury on opening night, the Nets have leaned on Russell’s ability to put the ball in the basket.
The numbers have been impressive, he’s averaging 20.9 points per game with 5.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
Brooklyn’s been struggling to win ballgames, they’ve lost six of their last eight games. They’ve also had to work through injuries which have cost playing time for Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, Quincy Acy, and Trevor Booker.
The last thing the Nets need right now is another injury, especially one which takes away their best player, with a brutal stretch of games ahead against the best teams in the NBA.
Well, the Nets find themselves in that scenario. Russell injured his left knee late in the Nets’ loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.
It’s not known yet to what extent Russell injured his knee, but what is known is that he’ll likely miss a few games. That’s a huge loss for the Nets.
The Nets are just wrapping up a west coast road trip in which they lost three out of five games. In four of their five wins this season, Russell led Brooklyn in scoring.
His offensive production is going to be missed at a crucial point in Brooklyn’s season. In their next seven games, the Nets face the Celtics, Jazz, Warriors, Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, and Rockets.
Not having their best player with games against Kyrie Irving, Stephon Curry, LeBron James, Damion Lillard, and James Harden all coming up – is a grim forecast of what’s likely ahead for the Nets.
Brooklyn must hope Russell misses just a few games, and maybe the diagnosis changes over the next few days, they simply can’t afford to go too long without him in the lineup.
Spencer Dinwiddie has been impressive this season for the Nets off the bench. Isaiah Whitehead may see some increased playing time which will only help his continued development.
But still, the Nets are going to miss Russell in the backcourt.