The Brooklyn Nets are riding high after an impressive win over the Milwaukee Bucks but will be shorthanded when they host the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Ben Simmons is out due to lower-back injury management, while Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot injury recovery), Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain), and Day’Ron Sharpe (left hamstring strain) will also miss the game. This leaves Brooklyn thin in its rotation as they attempt to secure back-to-back wins after starting the season with two losses.
Cam Thomas and Dennis Schroder will be available for the Nets. The duo combined for 61 points in their win over the Bucks, contributing more than half of the team’s 115-102 victory. Schroder, who was brought in to support Simmons, is averaging 20.7 points and 6.3 assists per game this season and has been a veteran presence for the team. However, Schroder is on an expiring contract, making his future with the Nets uncertain.
Brooklyn will face a tired yet relieved Denver team, fresh off their first win of the season on Monday night against the Toronto Raptors. The Nuggets, who lost their first two home games, were down by 10 points with 2:12 left in regulation but managed to force overtime and narrowly escape with a 127-125 victory.
Having the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, on the court certainly helps. Jokic has recorded back-to-back games with at least 40 points, and Denver needed every one of his points to avoid starting 0-3 for the first time in his career. The Nuggets had to rely heavily on their starters, with Jokic logging 44 of the 53 minutes and Aaron Gordon playing 42.
Denver may need to lean on its bench against the Nets, but so far, that unit has struggled. Russell Westbrook, in his 17th NBA season and first with Denver, is shooting just 5-for-25 in the first three games. The matchup against Brooklyn will test the depth and resilience of both teams.
