Overview
- Head coach Jordi Fernandez said Thomas is expected to play Saturday in Minnesota after clearing to practice fully and taking part in recent 5-on-5 work.
- Thomas has missed 20 games since a left hamstring strain on Nov. 5, and the Nets managed his ramp-up cautiously given similar issues that sidelined him for most of last season.
- The team has not announced whether Thomas will start or come off the bench, and any minutes plan has not been disclosed.
- Brooklyn’s performance trended up during his absence, with a sixth-best defensive rating since Nov. 5 and the league’s top mark in December, going 9-12 after an 0-7 start with him active.
- Before the injury, the 24-year-old averaged 21.4 points in eight games, and he is playing on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer ahead of unrestricted free agency next summer.