Coming off the best game of his rookie season, Nolan Traore will have to wait to make his next impact.
Both Traore (illness) and Cam Thomas (sprained left ankle) were ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Traore’s fellow rookie Egor Dëmin showed signs earlier in the season of growing into the player the team hoped when they drafted him eighth overall out of BYU, Traore has stepped into the spotlight more recently.
In Friday’s double-overtime loss to the Celtics, the 19-year-old Traore, the No. 19 pick in last year’s draft, set career highs in minutes (36:51) and points (21).
Traore was also on the floor again late in the game instead of Dëmin.
“I think as a 19-year-old, Nolan played very meaningful minutes and he did a great job,’’ Jordi Fernández said.
The coach noted Traore’s “ability to touch the paint and how slippery he is” as the reason he used him late and believes he will develop into having a greater role.
“There [are] some mistakes and we need him to be the floor general and talk and use his voice,’’ Fernández said. “But he’s going to grow that voice and I’m going to trust him.”
Traore managed to impress some of his veteran teammates with his latest performance.
“He got to the paint, he finished well [and] he steadied the team in the clutch moments,’’ Michael Porter Jr. said. “He made some really big layups. And he used his speed to his advantage. So I thought it was a really good [game] for him to get that experience in the fourth quarter and overtimes. Egor’s been in those moments now a few times and it was good that Nolan got to be in those moments, as well.”
Nic Claxton said it was “big” for Traore to be on the court down the stretch.
“You can show him that he belongs here,’’ Claxton said. “I remember when I first started getting those clutch-time minutes. It is a good feeling and being able to impact the game.”
Claxton added Traore “did a lot of good things for us: Getting downhill and getting in the paint, spraying it out, making some good plays… Going forward, we’re definitely going to need that level of play from him.”
Thomas’ latest absence comes in what’s been a rough season, with his future with the Nets in doubt as the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches.
Ben Saraf will be available in Traore’s absence.
Claxton was not listed on the injury report Saturday. He was due to get imaging on his right pinky finger on after injuring it during Friday’s game.
He initially left the game due to the injury, but later returned and was able to finish the game.
If Claxton is unavailable Sunday in Los Angeles, Day’Ron Sharpe could make his fourth start of the season. Noah Clowney was listed as doubtful with back soreness.
