Nic Claxton to return to Nets' lineup in time for season opener vs. Hawks

Nic Claxton’s shirt was wet with sweat after Nets practice. Usually, that’s normal but after missing the entire preseason, it meant Claxton was back to work.

Claxton practiced Monday for the first time since being sidelined by a sore hamstring. It kept him on track to be available for the Nets’ season opener Wednesday at the Hawks.

“It was just good being back out there with guys,” Claxton said. “Getting a feel for everything, running through the plays at full speed and just starting to game plan a little for Atlanta.”

Claxton’s presence was missed as the Nets went with small-ball lineups. Dorian Finney-Smith and Ben Simmons manned the post as starters while Noah Clowney served as backup off the bench.

It left the Nets vulnerable to being outrebounded and giving up second-chance opportunities. That shouldn’t be the case now with Claxton back in the fold.

“It’s good to have a true center on the court, so I think everybody could feel his energy,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “At the end of the day that’s a positive for us.”

Fernandez declined to say if Claxton, who signed a four-year extension this past summer, would be on a minutes restriction. Still, the Nets feel good about where he’s at physically.

On the court, there are the same questions about how Claxton and Simmons fit in terms of spacing the floor. Neither are shooters and even though Claxton expects to take a bigger role on offense, it’s a challenge Fernandez and his staff have to sort out.

There’s also sorting out lineups. The Nets had been starting Simmons and Dennis Schroder together with both sharing point guard duties. Simmons played more of a point forward role.

Will that continue with Claxton on the floor?

“We’re going to see two of them on the court,” Fernandez said of his point guards. “Obviously, I’m not going to give any information on who I’m going to start or who I’m going to play, but I’m excited to see new groups at some point if we can.”

There’s also room to experiment with Claxton and Clowney sharing the court together. Clowney likely will stay as backup center with Day’Ron Sharpe out (strained hamstring). But if the Nets go big, Clowney could play power forward alongside Claxton.

For now, the Nets are just glad Claxton is healthy and practicing. He averaged a near double-double last season with 11.8 points and 9.9 rebounds and he’s excited about what this year can bring, even if he needs time to ramp up.

“It’s definitely going to take a few games. That’s a part of it,” Claxton said. “I missed the preseason, missed some of training camp, but that’s OK. I’ll be able to pick my spots and get into the swing of things.”

Notes & quotes: Trendon Watford (strained hamstring) is expected to return to practice next week, Fernandez said. Watford has been out since Oct. 7 . . . Bojan Bogdanovic (foot surgery) has yet to practice and won’t be available to start the season.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.