Injured Nets Cam Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV both sit out vs. Mavericks
Nets forward Cameron Johnson looks on in the first half of an NBA game against Golden State at Barclays Center on Monday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Cam Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV both sat out Tuesday night's game against the Mavericks due to injuries, although the length of time they'll be out remains uncertain.
Johnson was held out most of the fourth quarter Monday and coach Jacque Vaughn said he suffered tightness in his left hip. He wasn’t sure when the injury occurred.
"We're just standing in the tightness bucket right now,” Vaughn said when asked if they were long-term injuries. “Both of those dudes did have MRIs, which are kind of being assessed right now.”
Johnson has dealt with various left leg injuries since training camp. He missed all four preseason games with a mild hamstring strain then suffered a calf strain in the season opener that caused him to miss seven games.
Walker, who has tightness in his left hamstring, only played four minutes Monday before he exited the game. The Nets ruled him out at halftime.
With the Nets down five players, they made rookies Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson available, along with two-way signee Keon Johnson. Wilson last played with the Nets on Jan. 3 in Houston and Clowney's only played once since Dec. 27 when the Nets rested most of their starters against the Bucks.
“That’s all we got,” Vaughn said about the limited bodies available.
No update on Finney-Smith
Vaughn didn’t have a timetable on Dorian Finney-Smith’s return as he missed his fifth consecutive game with a sprained left ankle.
Prior to his injury, Finney-Smith had been one of the more durable Nets, having played in 42 of 45 games. He also missed a second chance to play against his former team. Finney-Smith spent seven seasons with the Mavericks before he was traded in the deal that sent Kyrie Irving to Dallas.
“I think overall, he’s just been disappointed that he hasn't been able to play for us,” Vaughn said. “And he's not a guy that wants to be hurt. [He’s] one of our guys who really enjoys playing and battling and, unfortunately, he hasn't been able to. We miss him."
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
