Drake Powell just can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to his right ankle. The Nets rookie went down again during the first quarter of Thursday night’s matchup against the Miami Heat, and this time it’s another right ankle sprain-his third of the season. He was ruled out almost immediately, and the concern now shifts to how long he might be sidelined this time around.
For Powell, this latest setback is especially frustrating given how hard he’s worked to carve out a role in Brooklyn’s rotation. Earlier this season, he missed six games due to two separate sprains of the same ankle.
That came on the heels of a summer largely lost to right knee tendinopathy. But despite all that, the 19-year-old has been one of the more quietly effective rookies in the league over the past month.
In his last 16 games, Powell’s averaged 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just over 20 minutes per contest. He’s shooting a sharp 47.5% from the floor and nearly 38% from three-numbers that don’t just look good for a rookie, they’re legitimately efficient for any rotation player. In fact, among rookies logging at least 15 minutes per game, Powell is one of just four shooting at least 48% from the field and 37% from deep, joining Collin Murray-Boyles, Will Richard, and Ryan Nembhard in that elite tier.
But Powell’s value hasn’t just been on the offensive end. Defensively, he’s made his presence felt with a mix of length, agility, and instincts that are rare for a teenager. His seven-foot wingspan and high-level athleticism have allowed him to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes, making him a key piece of Brooklyn’s second unit.
Now, with Powell potentially facing another stretch on the shelf, the Nets may have to reshuffle their depth chart once again. That could open the door for fellow rookies Ben Saraf or Nolan Traore to step into the spotlight. Saraf has been bouncing between Brooklyn and the G League this season, while Traore has mostly been with Long Island but did get a brief look in the NBA this past weekend.
Another name to watch is Jalen Wilson. The second-year forward had recently fallen out of the rotation as Powell earned more minutes, but with the rookie sidelined, Wilson could get another shot to prove he belongs in the mix.
For a Nets team trying to find consistency in a crowded Eastern Conference, losing Powell-even temporarily-hurts. He’s been one of their more dependable young contributors, and his development has been a bright spot amid an up-and-down season. How long he’ll be out remains to be seen, but for now, Brooklyn will have to lean on its depth and hope that Powell’s latest ankle issue doesn’t keep him out for long.