Despite starting this season with a depleted roster, Jordi Fernandez and the Nets still got off to a strong start with impressive wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies. The Denver Nuggets needed overtime to escape victory at the Barclays Center on Tuesday.
Fernandez can now start a healthy Trendon Watford in rotation. The versatile forward missed the entire preseason and the first five games of the regular season due to a left hamstring strain suffered in training camp. He was eager to get back on the court and was cleared to do so before Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center.
“It was [a long road]”, Watford told reporters ahead of his 2024-25 debut. “I got injured in camp at an unfortunate time, but luckily it happened before the season started. I just did a lot of work. rehab and tried to get back to where I felt and feel even better.
“I was able to sit back and watch what the team was doing and how we improved over the last five games, and even in preseason… I think everyone is adjusting well. And we saw it in camp, but you know, once you get in the game, you feel it. And it took us a few games, but I think everyone figured it out and I’m just happy to get in on this and join the wave.
Watford, who turns 24 next month, signed a one-year contract to stay with the Nets in July. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 63 appearances last season, while shooting 52.7% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range. And although he played inconsistent minutes throughout the first half of last season, he broke out down the stretch, averaging 12.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per match in his last 11 appearances.
“It’s good to have another great guard, great wing,” Nic Claxton said. “It’s always good to have size. And you know, he can affect the game in different ways, handling the ball, defending. It’s really good to have our soldier back.
With Watford back in the fold, Day’Ron Sharpe (hamstring) and Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) are the only Nets who have not started this season. Bogdanovic’s status remains a mystery, but Watford have hinted that Sharpe could return to the field soon.
“He’s close to coming back,” Watford said of Sharpe. “Day by day, man. So, I also know how difficult it is because of this injury, and I think this is the second time he’s done it. But he feels good. Probably not for long.
