NEW YORK — The Nets don’t have time to mess around, but that’s the position they find themselves in. With 18 games left in the season, the early-season championship favorites still have no clue what works for this roster that’s been constructed on the fly.
“I think we’re getting there,” said interim head coach Jacque Vaughn, who is expected to return to the bench if Steve Nash clears the health and safety protocols in time for Sunday afternoon’s matchup in Boston against the Celtics. “It’s looked different at different times of the year.”
The Nets have to take advantage of the few remaining games on their schedule. Kyrie Irving, who is ineligible to play in New York City because he is unvaccinated, will only be available for seven of the final 18 regular-season games. Kevin Durant has returned from the MCL sprain that kept him out since Jan. 15, but on the same day he returned, the Nets announced sharpshooter Joe Harris will undergo season-ending ankle surgery (on the same ankle he hurt on Nov. 14). Not to mention Ben Simmons’ Nets debut is weeks away, and he doesn’t project to play until closer to April.
