The Brooklyn Nets were dealt a significant blow on Wednesday with the news that leading scorer Cam Thomas has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. The 23-year-old guard will be sidelined for at least three weeks, dealing a major setback to a team that has surprised many with its 8-10 start to the 2024 season.
Thomas, who has been on a tear offensively, is currently averaging 24.7 points per game, ranking 16th in the NBA. His career-high 3.4 assists per game and excellent shooting splits of 46/39/87 have been vital to the Nets’ eighth-ranked offense. His 60.6 true shooting percentage is well above the league average, and his ability to score efficiently has been a driving force behind Brooklyn’s early-season success.
Losing Thomas leaves a gaping hole in the Nets’ offensive scheme. As the team’s primary scoring option, Thomas has been responsible for carrying much of the offensive load. With him sidelined, Brooklyn will rely heavily on veteran guard Dennis Schröder to step up as the lead offensive creator. Schröder has been enjoying one of the best starts to his career, averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists per game while shooting an impressive 46% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. He is now one of just six players in the NBA with at least 18 points, 6 assists, and over 40% shooting from three, joining the likes of LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, and Stephen Curry.
In addition to Schröder, the Nets will need Cam Johnson to increase his offensive role. Johnson has been solid this season, averaging 18.3 points and 2.9 assists per game on career-high shooting splits of 50/43/91. With Mikal Bridges now in Phoenix, Johnson has stepped into a bigger role, and he will need to maintain his strong play during Thomas’ absence.
Brooklyn will also turn to other contributors to pick up the slack. Jalen Wilson, who impressed in Summer League and earned MVP honors, has shown flashes of his potential during his second season. The former Big 12 Player of the Year is averaging 9.4 points and 1.8 assists on efficient shooting splits of 45/35/86. His ability to create off the dribble will be critical as the team searches for scoring options.
Trendon Watford, who recently returned from his own hamstring injury, has shown clutch scoring ability in limited minutes. He could play a key role as a secondary ball handler, especially in late-game situations. Shake Milton, though primarily used in a backup role, has also been efficient when called upon. His 44% shooting from three-point range in limited minutes could be a valuable asset for Brooklyn as they try to manage without Thomas.
Despite the injury, the Nets’ early-season success has been a pleasant surprise. After a pivot to rebuilding this past offseason, many expected Brooklyn to be a bottom dweller in the NBA standings. Instead, they’ve been competitive, and their offense has far exceeded expectations. However, Thomas’ absence raises the question of whether the team can continue to maintain its momentum. Without their leading scorer, the Nets may find themselves heading in the opposite direction of their early-season success, especially with the competition heating up in the Eastern Conference.
For now, Brooklyn will need to dig deep and hope that their supporting cast can pick up the slack. With a mix of established veterans and promising young players, the Nets will need to make adjustments quickly if they hope to stay afloat without their star guard for the next few weeks.
As Brooklyn faces a difficult stretch without Thomas, the rest of the roster will have to step up and prove that their strong start wasn’t a fluke. For fans of the Nets, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining just how resilient this team really is.
