Thomas, who has additionally not too long ago handled an sickness and a sore again, was eliminated within the third quarter of Monday’s recreation vs. Golden State and had been dominated out for Wednesday’s contest in Phoenix on account of what the group initially known as left hamstring soreness.
Thomas, 23, has ranked among the many NBA’s scoring leaders within the first few weeks of the 2024-25 season, averaging a career-high 24.7 factors to go together with 3.4 assists and three.2 rebounds in 33.4 minutes per recreation throughout 17 outings (all begins).
Maybe most significantly, he’s scoring extra effectively than ever, flattening 46.1% makes an attempt from the ground and 38.9% of his three-pointers — each marks could be the very best of his profession.
The twenty seventh total decide within the 2021 draft, Thomas is within the fourth and ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract and can be a restricted free agent throughout the 2025 offseason after not coming to phrases with the Nets on an extension previous to the season.
Brooklyn needs to maximise its cap flexibility subsequent summer season, so not extending Thomas was about retaining the group’s choices open and never essentially a sign that the group doesn’t view the high-scoring guard as a part of its future. Nonetheless, the idea is that the rebuilding Nets received’t make anybody on their roster untouchable at this season’s commerce deadline, and one report advised Thomas is “extensively thought-about to be accessible.”
Even when Thomas is ready to return in simply three weeks, he’ll miss Brooklyn’s subsequent eight video games. A four-week absence would sideline him by Christmas and value him 11 contests.
The Nets have a number of banged-up gamers whose availability is in flux, so it’s laborious to foretell how precisely they’ll cowl for Thomas’ absence, however Ziaire Williams, Shake Milton and Keon Johnson are among the many candidates for elevated roles.
