Cam Thomas Set to Return for Nets After 20-Game Absence: "Just Want to Play"
After missing 20 straight games with a left hamstring strain, Cam Thomas is finally on track to return to the Brooklyn Nets’ lineup. The 24-year-old guard, who last played on November 5 in a win over the Indiana Pacers, has steadily ramped up his activity over the past few weeks - and now, all signs point to him suiting up Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“CT is expected to play tomorrow,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed after Friday’s practice, where Thomas was spotted going through the post-practice free-throw routine with his teammates.
This isn’t a rushed return. Thomas has been progressing through on-court workouts and full 5-on-5 scrimmages, but the coaching staff had been cautious, waiting until he felt fully ready. On Friday, Fernandez made it clear: Thomas is back - and the team is eager to have him.
“It’s more just how he feels. No pressure,” Fernandez said.
“He’s done a good job getting himself back into shape and healthy. We just want to see his superpowers out there - no pressure to do too much.
Just be yourself, help the team compete, and go get a win.”
Before the injury, Thomas was playing some of the most confident basketball of his young career. In just eight games this season, he was averaging 21.4 points per game while shooting 40.2% from the field and 35.6% from beyond the arc. His scoring punch had become a key part of Brooklyn’s offensive identity, and his return adds another dimension to a team that’s been grinding through the schedule without him.
This comeback also carries personal stakes for Thomas. He’s playing this season on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer - a pivotal campaign for a player looking to solidify his long-term role and value in the league.
But if there’s any added pressure, Thomas isn’t showing it. His focus is simple: get back on the floor and play the game he loves.
“Just excited to get back on the court, ready to play again,” Thomas said Friday. “I just want to get back on the court and play.
It’s obviously good seeing [the team] playing well. I just want to get back on the court and play.”
For the Nets, Thomas’ return couldn’t come at a better time. With his scoring instincts, ability to create off the dribble, and a knack for heating up in a hurry, he gives Brooklyn another weapon - and a player who can take pressure off the rest of the rotation.
There’s no telling exactly how many minutes he’ll get right away, or how quickly he’ll find his rhythm after the layoff. But one thing’s clear: Cam Thomas is back, and the Nets are ready to welcome his firepower.