Injury issues have bothered the Brooklyn Nets' 2023-24 season. Amid holding a talented and highly versatile squad, the Nets couldn't keep up with consistent competition and haven't attained their full potential yet due to the unavailability of several of their key players.
Brooklyn entered their grueling West Coast trip with an impressive 12-9 record. But as they concluded the five-game road travel on Monday against the Utah Jazz, they ended up tallying a deflating 1-4 swing en route to a 13-13 card.
The long tour left them running on fumes, and given that they were short-handed as well, coach Jacque Vaughn had no choice but to scatter and push the minutes around his exhausted rotation.
No clear signs of return yet
Both Lonnie Walker IV (hamstring) and Dennis Smith Jr. (back) weren't able to hop in on Brooklyn's team plane to their five-game road trek. As such, the impact of their absence was already evident with how the Nets ended their lengthy West games tour.
Given the negative result of their travel, Nets fans were hoping that both guards would finally be back. Unfortunately, that's not the case, as Vaughn provided a sketchy update when asked if Walker IV and Smith Jr. would be seen back in action as they landed back home.
"They both have been home by themselves. They haven't played any one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three with anybody," he said.
No choice but to continue the roll
Walker IV has been unavailable since late November, missing the team's last eight games. The Nets' sixth man has been an ultimate spark plug off the bench, averaging 14.6 points in 48.9 percent shooting.
His counterpart, Smith Jr., stands as a trustworthy backup point man for Spencer Dinwiddie with his defense-first mentality and energy. He wasn't able to play in the previous six games, and his hustle has been missed in the Nets' battle against the West's imposing star backcourts.
As painful as it is to admit, it seems that only time can truly tell when they will be able to return alongside the back injury-riddled Ben Simmons. With their next three games at home, the Nets can at least take that needed recharge to elevate their record once again.
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