On Thursday, Brooklyn Nets forward Yuta Watanabe was downgraded to out for Friday night\u2019s road matchup against the Indiana Pacers. The fifth-year player is still recovering from a strained right hamstring.<\/p>\n
According to the medical staff, Watanabe will likely return this Sunday, when the Nets take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Barclays Center. Through 19 games, the Nets are 9-10 and rank 10th overall in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n
Per multiple NBA betting sites<\/a>, the Nets have the sixth-best odds to win the championship in 2023. Check out which sportsbooks show higher odds for the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the Nets injury report for tomorrow\u2019s game against the Pacers for your Thanksgiving timeline. <\/p>\n Warren (left foot \u2013 injury recovery) \u2013 OUT<\/p>\n Watanabe (right hamstring strain) \u2013 OUT<\/p>\n Williams (G League \u2013 two-way) \u2013 OUT<\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) November 24, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Through 14 games off the bench this season, Watanabe is averaging 8.1 points and 2.9 rebounds. Plus, he is shooting career highs of 60.9% from the floor and 57.1% from three-point range.<\/p>\n Of course, the 28-year-old leads the NBA in three-point percentage, and the forward\u2019s true shooting percentage is a career-best 78.1%. Watanabe\u2019s one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Nets was a steal for the organization.<\/p>\n \u201cHe got an MRI [exam] in Philly and Yuta has a hamstring strain,\u201d Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said prior to the Nets\u2019 112-98 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n On Sunday, Watanabe suffered his hamstring injury in Brooklyn\u2019s 127-115 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. In 25 minutes, the wing ended his performance with 16 points, three boards, and three assists.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we\u2019ll reassess him when we get back home,\u201d added Vaughn. \u201cDefinitely miss him. I spoke a little bit [Tuesday] of how I put a little bit of strain, because it gives us the ability to play big and small.\u201d<\/p>\n Last Thursday, in the Nets\u2019 109-107 win over the Trail Blazers, Watanabe scored a season-high 20 points in 29 minutes of action. He went 5-of-7 (71.4%) shooting from the field and hit five three-pointers on seven attempts.<\/p>\n The NBA leader in 3-PT%: Yuta Watanabe \ud83c\udfaf pic.twitter.com\/lCdd0jxhwC<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Nets forward Yuta Watanabe ruled out against Pacers for Friday\u2019s road game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse<\/h2>\n
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