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Cam Thomas is moving closer to an on-court return after missing roughly a month with a recurring left hamstring problem. The Brooklyn guard cleared a recent MRI and has begun basketball activities on the court, setting the stage for a status update in about two weeks.
Medical progress and expected timeline for return
The Nets announced that Thomas underwent imaging earlier this week that showed healing progress. He has started non-contact and on-court work and will be re-evaluated soon.
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- Injury: left hamstring, first suffered Nov. 5 against Indiana.
- Prior history: same hamstring was injured multiple times last season.
- Initial projection: team placed him out for about 3–4 weeks after the diagnosis.
Brooklyn’s medical staff will monitor his ramp-up carefully to avoid another setback.
What Thomas was doing before the injury
Before going down, Thomas was one of Brooklyn’s most reliable scorers. Across seven games he averaged 24.4 points per night. His shooting splits were solid: .408/.356/.875. He also averaged 1.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
How his absence changed the Nets’ results and metrics
The team’s fortunes shifted noticeably with Thomas sidelined. With him on the court in that stretch, the Nets went winless in seven games and posted the league’s worst net rating.
- With Thomas (seven games): 0–7, net rating -15.5.
- Since his injury: the Nets are 6–10, net rating -4.0.
Offense dropped only slightly, from 113.0 to 111.9. Defense improved markedly, from 128.5 to 115.9.
Players who have stepped into larger roles
Brooklyn found alternative scoring options while Thomas healed. Two veterans and several young players have taken on bigger responsibilities.
- Michael Porter Jr. — became a primary scoring option.
- Noah Clowney — solidified a key role on offense and defense.
- Rookies making noise: Egor Demin, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf.
These performances complicate how the staff will rework minutes when Thomas is ready.
Coaching choices and usage-rate concerns
Thomas logged a heavy offensive role before the injury. His usage rate sat at 31.5%, among the top third of the league, per CleaningTheGlass.
Coach Jordi Fernandez faces a tactical puzzle: re-integrate a high-usage scorer without disrupting the improved rotation and chemistry.
Contract outlook and trade mobility
Beyond health, Thomas carries an important roster status. He declined an extension and signed his qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- Free agency: unrestricted in the coming offseason.
- Trade window: eligible to be moved starting Dec. 15.
- Trade protection: he retains veto rights on any deal.
That mix of contract leverage and injury history will shape Brooklyn’s decisions if he returns to full form.
