NBA

Nets’ Cam Thomas may not play vs. Wizards due to ‘back spasms’

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Published March 26, 2024, 11:07 p.m. ET

The Nets may be without one of their stars again Wednesday night against the Wizards.

Cam Thomas was listed Tuesday as questionable after he was a late scratch for the Nets’ 96-88 win over the Raptors on Monday.

The Nets cited lower-back tightness, with Thomas experiencing “back spasms,” according to interim head coach Kevin Ollie, during Monday’s warm-ups.

Cam Thomas, looking to make a move on Donte DiVincenzo during the Nets' loss to the Knicks on Saturday, is in danger of missing his second straight game because of "back spasms."
Cam Thomas, looking to make a move on Donte DiVincenzo during the Nets’ loss to the Knicks on Saturday, is in danger of missing his second straight game because of “back spasms.” AP

Ollie said he was unsure of the status of his team’s leading scorer after the victory.

“We don’t know yet. We gonna get him a couple extra pillows in the hotel,” he laughed. “Put his back up. We’ll be all right.”

It was the 16th game Thomas has missed, and the Nets are 9-7 without him.

This season, he is averaging 21.5 points on 44.2 percent shooting.

The Nets have 10 regular-season games remaining and need Thomas to help in the fight to avoid elimination from play-in contention as they sit six games back of the Hawks in the loss column.

Mikal Bridges, who had an off night Monday with only 13 points on 5 of 15 shooting, also took a tumble in the fourth quarter.

Ollie said Bridges begged him to finish the game.

Mikal Bridges shoots over Garrett Temple during the Nets' win over the Raptors.
Mikal Bridges shoots over Garrett Temple during the Nets’ win over the Raptors. Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

He played 37 minutes and was not on Tuesday’s injury list.

“He’s all right. He told me don’t take him out the game,” Ollie said. “So, he was gonna finish the fourth quarter for us. He did a good job. You know, Mikal is an ironman, like you said, so he’s not going to come out [of] the game. Hopefully, we get the opportunity to examine it, but I don’t think it’s anything too serious where we will have a problem with it.”

Bridges, who has yet to miss a game in his six-year NBA career, has averages of 20.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting this season.

Keita Bates-Diop (right stress reaction), Cam Johnson (left big toe sprain), and Dennis Smith Jr. (right hip synovitis) remain out for Wednesday.

Johnson stubbed his toe while trying to take a charge against the Knicks on Saturday.

He was seen walking with a limp and originally thought he would be ready to play Monday against the Raptors.