Nets Notebook: Nic Claxton returns from 3-game absence

PHILADELPHIA — Nic Claxton returned from a three-game absence just in time for Friday’s Emirates NBA Cup matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Nets center was battling through a lower back strain and received an epidural injection last week.
“Feeling good. Ready to play. My back is feeling better,” Claxton said.
Claxton told reporters he had been dealing with back issues since the summer. He said fully addressing the issue will take time. Prior to his three-game absence, he had not missed a game since Oct. 30 against the Memphis Grizzlies when he was not playing in back-to-backs coming off a limited preseason.
“It’s always a different challenge,” Claxton said when asked about the difficulties of playing through a back injury. “Of course, the back is tough because it controls everything you do, pretty much, but it’s just another challenge. So, I just have to lock in and be ready to hoop.”
Head coach Jordi Fernandez does not know how long Claxton’s lower back issues will linger but trusts that the team’s medical staff will continue to guide him in the right direction. Ben Simmons started in Claxton’s place on Friday.
“I know the team, the medical team, and performance, they’ve been addressing it,” Fernandez said. ” And obviously, if he plays, it’s because we believe he is 100% or 200% to play. As you know, bumps and bruises in this league, are part of the business, but he’s doing good… We can tell them the medical group or you’re clear from our end, but then players have to believe that. They have to be, you know, feel good. And obviously they have to make the decision as well. So, once he plays, he is healthy to play.”
Simmons spent the first six seasons of his NBA career with the 76ers. He had an ugly breakup with the franchise, to say the least. He is used to hearing boos whenever he returns to Wells Fargo Center and his latest visit was no different. However, Friday’s meeting was the first time Fernandez got to witness the rivalry between Simmons and Philadelphia fans firsthand.
“Obviously, I’m not in his mind and I cannot feel his feelings. I can only feel mine,” Fernandez said. “As far as basketball, good crowds here, the fans are always great. They support their team, and they don’t like the opponents, which is how it works. And you know, wherever that goes, I think that when you play on the road, you get together as a team and you use that to your advantage… I love the way [Ben’s] competed all the time, whether we play at home, on the road. As a professional player, you always have to deal with those things.”
Simmons said he welcomes the challenge each time he comes home.
“Yeah, I also love that too,” Simmons said. “I love being in arenas where it’s loud and people are booing and all that stuff. So, it comes with the game. It’s a part of it. And I love it.”
Cam Johnson has found his early-season stride. The forward was averaging 24.3 points per game over his last three appearances entering Friday. He shot 46% from deep over that stretch, but long-range marksmanship has always been a staple in his game. The most impressive aspects of his recent surge are the shots he is creating for himself.
“I’ve always thought that he’s a very good overall player, not just a shooter,” Fernandez said of Johnson. “And getting to know him more now, what he means for the team is not just that he shoots and scores. He’s also doing the right things defensively. His multiple efforts, going vertical, pressuring the ball, all those things are important for us. And we’ve been using him, obviously not having CT the other day, I told him, ‘I’m going to give you the ball more, and the team needs you to do that.’ And he was excellent. Sometimes players show you what they’re able to do and sometimes you decide. I see that I can give him the ball a lot, too. That’s great that his teammates also trust him, and they can see that.”