Jeremy Lin has missed the Brooklyn Nets’ last eight games after suffering a hamstring injury during a November 2nd win over the Detroit Pistons. And though the initial prognosis had him missing around two weeks, he’s already missed closer to three.
Complicated still, his return isn’t exactly in sight, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post:
Atkinson: “Jeremy’s progressing well. I cant give a timetable…in terms of a specific day he's back. He’s progressing on schedule” #Nets https://t.co/m4RW9pYbRe
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) November 20, 2016
The Nets have long guarded their players’ timetables with extreme caution. Details surrounding the injuries themselves, along with the recoveries, are often scarce. Rookie Caris LeVert has yet to play this season, and we rarely hear an update on his status. That’s just the way things are.
Plus, two weeks was always an ambitious timetable for Lin. Hamstring injuries are fickle, even if they aren’t serious. They linger, and players often miss six, seven or eight weeks depending on the severity. Lin could find himself in the similar boat.
No news, mind you, isn’t exactly good news, either. The Nets need Lin back. They can be fiery and fun and pretty competitive at points, but they have a much better chance of maintaining that plucky disposition when he’s on the floor.
According to NBA.com, the Nets go from scoring like a top-10 offense with him, to a bottom-10 offense without him. And while he won’t fix their recent rash of defensive warts, he is a bit more familiar with NBA-type schemes than newbies Isaiah Whitehead and Yogi Ferrell.
With no incentive to lose, since the Boston Celtics have the right to swap picks this June, Brooklyn, while smart to protect Lin’s long-term value, can only hopes its point guard is ready to rock soon.
