Nets offense to get boost with expected return of Cam Thomas

ORLANDO, Fla.

The Nets have had one of the NBAs worst attacks ever since they lost Cam Thomas.

But theyre on the brink of getting back their leading scorer.

And they hope theyll get their missing offense back with him.

Thomas was listed as probable for Sundays game against the Magic.

The young shooting guard has missed the past 13 games with a left hamstring strain.

Brooklyn was just 4-9 in those games, so his return cant come a moment too soon for the struggling Nets.

Itll be nice when we get Cam Thomas back just to have some ...

a real half-court bucket, half-court scorer, center Nic Claxton said recently of getting Thomas back.

Thatll be good.

Were missing him right now a lot.

Thomas has indeed been a bucket, averaging a team-high 24.7 points on impressive .461/.389/.866 shooting splits, all but the last representing career highs.

And to say Brooklyn has missed him is a gross understatement.

Despite most sportsbooks having projected the Nets to finish with the second-worst record in the league, they came out of the gates surprisingly well based on a better than expected attack.

They were 8-10 after a win at then-Western Conference leading Golden State, and had the leagues eighth-best Offensive Rating (115.0).

But Thomas got hurt in that victory over the Warriors, and since then Brooklyn has had the 29th-ranked Offensive Rating, or second-worst at 105.5.

Without point guard Dennis Schroder to run the pick-and-roll, Brooklyn has been almost completely reliant on Ben Simmons getting them going in transition.

When they havent been able to get easy buckets in transition or early offense, theyve sputtered to score in the half-court.

They dont have players who can self-create.

Even though small forward Cam Johnson who missed Fridays loss to San Antonio with a right hip contusion, and is listed as probable against the Magic has shown a newfound ability to do so, its not his strength.

But it is and always has been Thomas.

His 1.24 points per possession in isolation is the best in the league (among players averaging at least two isos over 15 games).

The august company right behind Thomas Jayson Tatums 1.18, Kevin Durants 1.14 and Kyrie Irvings 1.13 should show just how prolific hes become.

And just how important to a team that was already talent-starved.

Thomas hasnt played since before Thanksgiving, and Brooklyns offense promptly cratered as soon as he left the lineup.

Obviously its different for everybody.

Youve got a lot of people in the spots, but our offense is different now, so weve all just got to adjust.

Its part of the game.

Were professionals.

So its not easy.

Its definitely a challenge, Claxton said.

But well get there.

And then, like I said, when we get [Thomas] back, thatll help.

With Thomas listed as probable, that could be as soon as Sunday against the Magic..

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