Brooklyn Nets forward T.J. Warren has been upgraded to probable for Friday night’s home game against the Toronto Raptors. The NC State product is expected to make his season debut.
Warren missed all of last season due to a left foot injury. While with the Indiana Pacers in January 2021, the forward underwent surgery to repair a left navicular stress fracture in his foot.
According to a few NBA betting sites, the Nets have the sixth-best odds to win the championship in 2023. Some sportsbooks show higher odds for the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference.
TJ Warren will reportedly return to the court on Friday. 👏
Warren hasn’t played since December 29th, 2020 due to injury. pic.twitter.com/KmYKPSyWLe
— theScore (@theScore) December 1, 2022
For a minor stress fracture, a non-surgical treatment includes wearing a cast or support boot for 6-8 weeks. However, based on his lengthy recovery period, Warren’s injury was more severe than expected.
Before Brooklyn played the Philadelphia 76ers last Tuesday, Nets coach Jacque Vaughn provided an update on Warren’s status, stating the forward has been “playing against other players” at team practices.
“It [Warren’s activity] is against players,” Vaughn added. “I’m not sure if it was 4-on-4. It could have been the range from 3-on-3, 4-on-4. Not sure if they get to 5-on-5.”
Nets forward T.J. Warren has been upgraded to probable against the Raptors, expected to make 2022-23 season debut
Furthermore, Warren has not played at least 60 games since the 2019-20 season. In 67 starts back then, the forward averaged 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. Also, he shot 53.6% from the field and 40.3% from deep.
At the end of the regular season, he ranked 16th in field goal percentage, 20th in two-point field goal percentage (57.5%), 20th in effective field goal percentage (58.1%), 18th in field goals (534), and ninth in two-point field goals (443).
Kevin Durant said he doesn’t want to put “too much high expectations” on TJ Warren when he returns to the court and gets his legs under him.
Durant, like Irving, added: “I’m happy for him. He’s been away from the game for so long.”
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) December 1, 2022
During the offseason, Warren signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Nets. After his return, expectations will be low for the first couple of weeks. A player coming off a major injury needs time to find his groove again.
Other injured players listed for the Nets include Ben Simmons (calf) and Yuta Watanabe (hamstring). Both players remain out indefinitely. Day’Ron Sharpe (illness) and Alondes Williams (groin) are questionable.
Meanwhile, for Toronto’s injury report, Otto Porter Jr. (foot) is questionable and Precious Achiuwa (ankle) is out indefinitely. While the Nets are on a three-game win streak, the Raptors have won two of their last three.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Brooklyn has a 54.9% chance of winning at home against the Raptors on Friday night. The Nets are 5-0 in their previous five home games.
