Cam Thomas’ return to the court docket took two months — and too lengthy.
The Nets’ younger guard lastly made his comeback Friday evening, after an absence that lasted 57 days however felt even longer.
“Completely. I’ve by no means been out this a lot ever, so it’s positively an adjustment,” Thomas mentioned shortly earlier than tipoff of Friday’s 121-102 loss to the Path Blazers at Barclays Heart. “However I’m simply glad to be again; able to get on the court docket and play once more. So, it feels good.”
Friday marked Thomas’ first motion since Jan. 2, sidelined by a strained hamstring. He went proper again into the beginning lineup and shared team-high scoring honors with 16 factors in simply 21:18, albeit capturing simply 7-for-17 and 0-for-4 from deep.
“First rate first sport again,” Thomas mentioned.
“Clearly, missed some pictures I usually make once I’m in rhythm and enjoying, but it surely’s simply the character of being on for some time and coming again and enjoying first sport. So pictures, not likely frightened about that; that’s going to come back. But it surely feels good to lastly end a sport and don’t have any ache. In order that’s the principle factor I’m happy with. So simply obtained to maintain constructing and maintain going.”
Thomas had performed Jan. 2 at Milwaukee and two video games earlier in Orlando. However the issue ran deeper and had lingered longer than that.
The younger guard had solely appeared twice since first hurting his hamstring on Nov. 25, coming off the ground throughout a win at Golden State. His abbreviated comeback taught him the advantage and worth of endurance.
“Simply doing all the things extra diligently, and taking extra time, and being affected person with it, not speeding. In order that’s most likely the principle factor. However all the things is about the identical. Simply being extra diligent with it, so it doesn’t occur once more. So it’s good,” mentioned Thomas, including it wasn’t a lot a case of including to his coaching routine however following it to the letter and never getting forward of himself.
“No, simply standard, standard. I’m not going to overthink, overdo something. Simply do what I’ve been doing. But it surely was simply extra so simply being extra affected person with it through the rehab. The rehab was an important factor. However now it’s all good. I’m high-quality.”
Thomas was cleared for full five-on-five apply final week, and made his return towards Portland.
“He obtained up 17 pictures in 21 minutes. He obtained open; that’s what he does,” coach Jordi Fernández mentioned. “He nonetheless must maintain enjoying to get his conditioning and get extra minutes. He’s going to maintain working.”
Thomas had performed simply 19 video games this season, and topped 30 factors six occasions. The entire remainder of the roster had seven 30-point outings.
“Simply getting excited to be on the court docket to be together with his teammates, and play the sport of basketball. That’s what he actually enjoys doing,” Fernández mentioned. “He may be himself on the court docket. And it’s been nice.
“CT has been a part of the group, he’s used his voice to assist the blokes. And this has additionally been good to have him round and be round his teammates otherwise. He’s been serving to us. In order that’s been superb. And now, he has an opportunity to be again on the court docket and do what he does finest.”
What Thomas, a pending restricted free agent, does finest is get buckets.
The off guard is the Nets’ main scorer, averaging 24.3 factors. He’s additionally labored to satisfy Fernández’s problem to enhance his play-making and protection, mixed with personal pure gravity that may assist their struggling assault.
“It creates consideration. He’s a weapon, and he’s able to scoring in bunches,” Fernández mentioned. “And even when they double group him, then — with the correct spacing — you will get a very good shot. So the video games he’s performed, he’s made the distinction; and that’s what we count on from him.
“We additionally want him to be a playmaker, to be a defender. So, have an entire sport. And he’s been working laborious, and we’re going to push him not simply to do what’s simpler for him is, to get higher, get 1 % higher and make him a greater participant and in addition makes us a greater group.”
