
Johnson will be back after missing the team's last six games with a right ankle sprain. He'll likely make an immediate return to the starting lineup, which will push either Jalen Wilson or Ziaire Williams back to the bench and leave fewer minutes for reserves like Tosan Evbuomwan and Tyrese Martin.
Russell couldn't find his shot all night, but he buried a clutch three when it mattered most. Down four with under 10 seconds to play, Keon Johnson hit a three to pull within one. Tosan Evbuomwan then stole the ball and fed Russell for a go-ahead triple to give Brooklyn an improbable two-point lead which the team would not relinquish. The Nets' roster is one of the whackiest in the Association. Russell should continue to see meaningful run, but the team is motivated to play its young guys, leaving Russell to log minutes in the 25-28 range rather than 30-plus, limiting his upside.
D'Lo and Williams will join a slew of other Nets players on the sidelines, and Brooklyn will roll out a skeleton crew against the visiting Suns on Wednesday. Guys like Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Noah Clowney and Tosan Evbuomwan should see increased run.
Sharpe was limited to 14 minutes in Friday's loss to the Lakers, with fellow reserves Jalen Wilson and Tosan Evbuomwan playing 27 apiece. Evbuomwan will likely lose out on minutes with Sharpe available, but all three reserves should be in the Nets' rotation.
Sharpe is over the illness that kept him sidelined Wednesday, but he apparently picked up an eye injury in Friday's matchup with Denver. If he's sidelined, Tosan Evbuomwan could see increased run.