The Brooklyn Nets have been in an extended rut ever since the calendar changed to January as they haven't been able to string together solid play for a long period of time. Brooklyn went into the All-Star Break with some much-needed wins against some of the other struggling teams in the league, but they will be without one of their best players against a formidable opponent on Thursday.
The Nets announced on Wednesday that center Nic Claxton is out for Thursday's game at the Cleveland Cavaliers due to a right ankle sprain. Brooklyn noted that Claxton suffered his ankle sprain during Wednesday's practice, which presumably means that he would have been good to go against the Cavaliers if he didn't suffer the unfortunate injury.
Claxton, 26, is having arguably the best season of his career as he's averaging 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 59.0% from the field and 60.7% from the free-throw line in 50 games played this season. With Claxton being out of the lineup against Cleveland, backup center Day'Ron Sharpe will most likely be called upon to make up for those minutes.
Sharpe, 24, is having a solid season of his own as he's averaging 8.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per contest while shooting 61.1% from the floor and 67.9% from the charity stripe. In Sharpe's four starts this season, he's averaging 13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 61.1% from the field and 64.7% from the free-throw line in 30.7 minutes played per contest.
Moving on with the injury report, the Nets announced that forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Noah Clowney are available for the game after dealing with their respective injuries heading into the All-Star Break. Porter was dealing with right knee tendinitis while Clowney was nursing a left ankle sprain. The good news is that both starters will be back in the rotation for Brooklyn against one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference in the Cavaliers.
For tomorrow's game at the Cavaliers, the Nets say that Nic Claxton is OUT due to a right ankle sprain.
— Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) February 18, 2026
Rookie Ben Saraf and Josh Minott are OUT on G League assignment.
Michael Porter Jr. (knee) and Noah Clowney (ankle) are off the injury report.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Nic Claxton (ankle) out for Thursday's game at the Cavaliers