Cam

Thomas

Saturday’s game was the first for Brooklyn since it was announced that Cam Thomas (hamstring) will not play again this season. As was the case when Thomas missed close to two months with another hamstring injury, Johnson was inserted into the starting lineup. And Saturday was an excellent night to have him rostered, as Keon shot the ball efficiently and finished one blocked shot away from a complete stat line. Even if the shots aren’t falling, Johnson does enough to provide solid value when allowed to start. He’s worth rostering moving forward, despite Week 20 being a three-game week for the Nets.

With Thomas’ hamstring coming this late in the season, the Nets don’t expect the 23-year-old shooting guard to return this year. He should be fully recovered by the time next season comes around, though. Keon Johnson figures to pick up additional usage and playing time in Thomas’ absence.

Claxton is set to rest while Thomas continues to manage a hamstring injury. With Noah Clowney (ankle) also ruled out, the Nets will be severely undermanned. Expect Day’Ron Sharpe to play heavy minutes and be worth streaming consideration.

It’s no secret that Thomas is an elite scorer, but he showed that he can be more than that on Thursday. He set a new career-high for assists and recorded the first double-double of his career in Brooklyn’s loss to Chicago. In his six appearances since returning from his extended absence with a hamstring injury, Thomas has dished out at least six assists in three of them. Thomas will always be known for his scoring, but if he can continue to be a playmaker at this level, his value to the Nets and to dynasty managers will skyrocket.

Russell is off the injury report after sitting out Tuesday’s loss to the Cavaliers, which was Brooklyn’s second game in as many nights. He’ll resume his starting point guard duties against the Bulls, with Keon Johnson likely headed to the bench if Cam Thomas is available.

Thomas missed the first night of the back-to-back for Brooklyn, but he returned to the lineup on Tuesday. He got right back to being an elite scoring option and contributed 16 of his 27 points in the first half. Not only was this Thomas’ highest-scoring performance since November, but his 32 minutes were also the most that he has played in a game since then. Brooklyn still has three more games this week, though they have a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s game is a tougher matchup (Boston), so expect Thomas to play in that game and sit out against Atlanta on Sunday.

Thomas and Watford sat out Monday’s tilt with the Lakers, but both will be back for the second leg of Brooklyn’s back-to-back set. Expect both players to handle their typical workloads.

Thomas and Watford will sit out the first game of the Nets’ back-to-back as they face the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Cameron Johnson (knee) will be available, so he can slide into the spot in the starting lineup left vacant by Thomas. As for Watford, his absence frees up additional minutes for Noah Clowney and Jalen Wilson.

Like D’Angelo Russell, availability has been an issue for Thomas. He’s only appeared in two games since injuring his hamstring on January 2, limiting his fantasy upside. And with the Nets playing two back-to-backs during Week 19, Thomas may be looking at a three-game week at best. Keon Johnson (8/7/1/1 with one three-pointer) only played 18 minutes off the bench, but he may be worth holding onto in deep leagues as a safety net in case Thomas misses more time.

Johnson, Williams and Claxton are the holdovers from the quintet that started Saturday’s loss to the Pistons. Russell and Thomas replace Killian Hayes (whose 10-day contract expired) and Keon Johnson, who will play quality minutes off the bench. Given the unpredictable availability of Russell and Thomas, Keon is worth holding onto in deep leagues.