Cam Thomas could return against 76ers as Nets’ injury bright spot

Perhaps at some point, the Nets will all be healthy.

Leading scorer Cam Thomas, who missed Tuesday’s win over Charlotte with lower-back tightness, is probable for Friday’s game in Philadelphia.

Following Thursday’s practice in Brooklyn, Thomas said he was “feeling better.”

Cam Thomas goes up for a shot in the fourth quarter during the Nets’ loss to the Knicks. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Asked if he thought he’d be available Friday, Thomas said, “We’ll see.” Thomas initially felt the tightness in his back Sunday against the Knicks but played through it in the second half.

“It definitely affected me,” Thomas said. “I tried to play through it … but I can’t be as explosive, and they were double-teaming me the whole game, so I couldn’t see how it really felt.”

It tightened up more Monday, which led to his unavailability Tuesday, but there’s a chance he could return Friday.

The same is true for Nic Claxton, who has missed more than a week with a lower-back strain. Claxton returned to practice Thursday and was listed as questionable for Friday.

There’s been more mystery surrounding Day’Ron Sharpe, who has been sidelined all season with a left hamstring injury.

Nic Claxton defends Peyton Watson in the Nets’ loss to the Nuggets. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The team announced Thursday that Sharpe had progressed to doing one-on-one drills with coaches and is expected to be “integrated into team activities in the next 7-10 days.”

Head coach Jordi Fernandez said Sharpe “looks good. … We’re happy with his progress.”

Day’Ron Sharpe dribbles during Media Day at the HSS Training Center on Sept. 30, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST


As part of team bonding, the Nets have introduced a football helmet display near their practice court, with each player on the 18-man roster getting a helmet with stickers to represent positive impacts to the team.

“It’s a way to recognize our players’ work and what they do for the team that’s not necessarily seen on general stats,’’ Fernandez said.

The stickers could be for personal milestones or work done in the weight room.

The idea is popular with the players, according to Fernandez.

Dennis Schroder praised Fernandez and his staff for the move, as well as for how the team is being run this season.

“It’s different,’’ the veteran guard said of the helmets. “After games, people have chains, but we have helmets.”

More than that, though, Schroder has been impressed by the work the team is doing.

“I’ve been in the league 12 years and I never had a training camp like we had,” Schroder said. “It was by far the hardest. I’m used to it because I’m from Europe, but there was structure coming in and setting the tone early.”

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