Nicolas Claxton had a strong night for the Brooklyn Nets against the Boston Celtics on Friday. He played 39 minutes and made a real impact. But his night was not perfect.
At one point, Claxton had to leave the game. He hurt his pinky finger. It may sound small. But it could turn into something bigger.
Claxton will go through scans on Saturday. He is scheduled for both X rays and an MRI. The team wants to be sure nothing serious is going on. That alone makes the situation a bit concerning.
Many people joke about pinky injuries. In basketball, they matter. A lot. Especially for a big man who relies on catching, finishing, and defending.
Claxton is one of the Nets’ most important players. He anchors the defense. He protects the rim. Losing him would hurt the team in a big way.
Yes, Noah Clowney and Day’Ron Sharpe can step in. They can hold things together. But Claxton is different. His impact is hard to replace. The Nets are better when he is on the floor.
There is also another layer to this. Any injury can affect trade talks. If the scans show more damage than expected, it could complicate things for Brooklyn.
Claxton is widely seen as one of the best defensive big men in the league. His energy changes games. Teams feel him when he is out there. He sets the tone every time he plays.
That is why this injury matters. Even if it looks small.
After the game, Claxton was honest about how he felt. He said the finger was sore. It was locking up. He taped it and tried to push through. But he admitted he would not know more until the scans.
Claxton has been playing his best basketball lately. He wants to stay on the court. That part is clear.
Now, Nets fans just have to wait. Saturday’s results will tell the real story.