Nic Claxton looking like himself again after Nets injury return

MEMPHIS, Tenn.— The Nets have gone from worrying about Nic Claxton’s back to talking about Nic Claxton being back. For the first time since his back injury flared up a month ago — and really for the first time all season — Brooklyn’s starting center is returning to form. “Just me being aggressive and just feeling like myself again.

Picking my spots, watching film, and I just got to keep building off of that and be consistent,” Claxton said.“Physically, mentally, knowing everything’s good with my back, just trusting in my body and just putting the work in.” Claxton feeling like himself has resulted in him looking and playing like himself, especially with Sunday’s strong outing vs.

Milwaukee.He was looking to build on it Friday in Memphis. “Yeah, [it’s a] combination of him being more comfortable, playing more minutes, being aggressive,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said.

“That’s what we want him to do, and we want him to do it every game.So he should be comfortable doing it.

Also now, if he feels like he’s in better game shape, it’s going to become easier and easier.So [Milwaukee] was a good, good first step, and he’s got to continue to get better.” After Claxton initially hurt his back over the summer, the soreness cropped back up, and he missed five out of seven games last month.

His scoring had gone up in all five straight contests since his return. Finally came Sunday against the Bucks.Free from a minutes restriction, he had 21 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 32:38. Claxton shot 9 of 14, including throwing down several lobs. “It’s getting used to it,” Fernandez said.

“Finding the right spacing and also just based on how the other team’s defense is and their coverages are. “Obviously we know Nic’s ability to put pressure on the rim and go for lobs.Also, we have to be good at throwing them.

We weren’t very good in the Chicago game, just getting used to it.In my opinion, Nic p...