Dorian Finney-Smith a late scratch as Nets’ injuries mount

The Nets have added a new injury to their extended list of unavailable players. 

With leading scorer Cam Thomas and several other rotation players sidelined, starting forward Dorian Finney-Smith was a late scratch for Saturday’s game against the Jazz with a left calf contusion.

Second-year forward Noah Clowney made his second started of the season place of Finney-Smith. 

“I think he got hit [Thursday in Toronto] and he played through it. Obviously, it’s a precaution and we don’t want to take any risk with the discomfort and everything,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said before a 105-94 loss. “So next man up.” 

Fernandez had said that Thomas, who hasn’t played since Nov. 25 due to a hamstring issue, will be reevaluated this weekend, but he had no update before the game.

Ziaire Williams (knee), Trendon Watford (hamstring), De’Anthony Melton (knee) and Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) also remained out. 

The Nets utilized their 15th different starting lineup through 28 games. 

After spending much of his first professional season in the G League, Jalen Wilson has earned a regular role in the Nets’ rotation. 

Though no one on the injury-ravaged roster has played in every game through their first 28 contests, Wilson is tied with veteran Cam Johnson with 27 appearances (six starts). 

“It’s been a blessing, man. I’m so thankful to have this season and have the coaching staff that we have,” Wilson said before the game. “Any young guy just wants an opportunity to play, and we all have it now, and it’s just been fun to play, fun to match with all the guys, and get to compete every night.” 

The 24-year-old Wilson, the team’s second-round pick (51st overall) in 2023 out of Kansas, has averaged 9.0 points in 25.4 minutes per game this season after being named MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League over the summer. 

The 6-foot-6 wing endured a rough shooting night in Thursday’s win in Toronto, finishing 0-for-7 from 3-point range and 1-for-11 overall, but Fernandez has encouraged him to keep firing. 

“That’s something that as a player, we all love to hear,” said Wilson, who came in connecting on 33.6 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc this season. 

Nic Claxton was fined $25,000 by the NBA after his ejection in the second quarter Thursday night in Toronto for throwing the ball into the stands.

Claxton said after the game that the incident was “a mental lapse” and “I can’t let my emotions get to that point.”