Nets' Seth Curry, Joe Harris won't play in opener against Pelicans
Seth Curry #30 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a photo at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at HSS Training Center on September 26, 2022. Credit: Getty Images/Dustin Satloff
The Nets will open the season without two of their most dangerous outside shooters.
Seth Curry and Joe Harris have been ruled out against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday at Barclays Center, the Nets announced on Sunday. Both are coming off ankle surgeries.
Harris had two surgeries on his left ankle last season and played in only 14 games. He played 15 minutes in the Nets’ preseason opener but experienced what the team is calling left foot soreness and hasn’t played since.
Curry, who had surgery on his left ankle in May, was able to do some four-on-four work in practice recently but still is not ready to play. The Nets originally had hoped that he would be back for their final preseason game.
“I’m not concerned,” coach Steve Nash said after practice Sunday. “I’m positive. I’m optimistic. It’s just not straightforward with guys coming off surgeries, assimilating back to play. It’s not always like straight up. Sometimes you go through some adaptation issues.
“So I think those guys are facing that more than, ‘Oh, the emergency lights are on and we’re concerned.’ I think we feel like this is just a part of them getting back to it.”
Nash said neither player has had a setback and that both will be re-evaluated on Thursday. He also said Curry might be slightly behind Harris in terms of returning to play.
In their absence, Royce O’Neale is expected to start alongside Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton. O’Neale, who was acquired by the Nets from Utah over the summer, said that regardless of whether he is starting or coming off the bench, he wants to bring a lot of energy.
“These guys are making it easier for me,” O’Neale said. “I try to make it easier for them. They’re creators, knocking down open shots and creating for them. Everybody reading off each other has been great.”
Nash said he thinks O’Neale’s game is a good fit for the starting unit.
“Royce is such an intelligent player and unselfish player,” Nash said. “He has complete awareness of who he is and what he does, and that just makes him a great fit for our guys. He’s able to lead and direct on the floor. He understands how to sacrifice for teammates who are higher-volume players. It’s just his awareness and IQ.”
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
