Trendon Watford thrives at point guard down…
PHILADELPHIA — Since buying D’Angelo Russell, the Nets had been a winless 0-6 with out him.
That was till Saturday and Trendon Watford’s endgame heroics.
The Nets began current 10-day signee Killian Hayes at point guard, however when it was crunch time, they turned to 6-foot-9 ahead Watford to make performs, and he made them.
Watford had 11 of his 16 factors within the fourth quarter, logging 9:14 within the ultimate period as the one Net with a constructive plus-minus within the ultimate stanza of a 105-103 win over the 76ers.
“It’s time to win. I mean, Jordi [Fernandez] told me I was pretty much gonna finish the game. So, fourth quarter, it’s time to win. We all just knew we had to win that quarter to win the game,” Watford mentioned. “Man, I’m so glad we ain’t have to go to overtime. Honestly, I ain’t know if I had it in me to play five more minutes, I ain’t gonna lie.”
Trendon Watford, who scored 11 of his 16 factors within the fourth quarter, drives to the basket during the Nets’ 105-103 win over the 76ers on Feb. 22, 2025. NBAE by way of Getty Images
Fernandez mentioned of Watford: “He helps you win. And he does that because he’s able to score, but also able to handle and playmake and play four positions, and post-up and make a 3. So all those things are super valuable at his size and position.”
Cam Thomas was his common high-scoring self in his first five-on-five since getting damage, and the gifted younger guard appears on the brink of a return.
“I’m all right,” Thomas advised The Post earlier than Saturday’s win. “I’m just taking it by their plan, and we’ll see.”
Cam Thomas Getty Images
It marked the twenty second straight recreation Thomas had missed with a left hamstring pressure. He hasn’t performed since a Jan. 2 victory in Milwaukee, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to return Monday in Washington.
“Just day-by-day now and see, seeing how I feel,” Thomas mentioned. “I’m just seeing how my body reacts, you know? Once I feel good, you know you’ll see me out there.”
Thursday marked his first five-on-five for the reason that harm, vital because it’s basically the ultimate hurdle to be cleared in his comeback.
“He did great. He scored a lot. I made sure that I told the coaches to pass him the ball and let him shoot,” Fernandez mentioned. “He was great. He did a good job, he was in a good place. It was good to see him play. … Obviously, he has to play again and again and really feel like he can maintain a certain quantity of load. Then we’ll resolve.
“It’s going to be soon. I cannot tell you exactly when, but it’s trending in the right direction, and he’s in a good place and we’re happy to have him back soon.”
The Nets didn’t say what grade Russell’s ankle sprain was, however ruled him out for Monday’s tilt at the Wizards.
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