The Nets are almost at full strength.
Not only is Ben Simmons nearing his return from injury, but Yuta Watanabe will soon be back in the lineup.
Following stints with the Grizzlies and Raptors, Watanabe worked his way into Brooklyn’s rotation with his play to start the season. He’s averaging a career-high 8.1 points through 14 games and has been one of the most accurate 3-point shooters in the NBA.
Unfortunately for him, a hamstring injury hit the pause button on Watanabe’s breakout season.
What’s next for Watanabe? Here’s everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
SIGN UP TO WATCH EVERY GAME ON NBA LEAGUE PASS: U.S. and U.K. | All other countries
What is Yuta Watanabe’s injury?
Watanabe hasn’t played since Brooklyn’s win over Memphis on Nov. 20. It wasn’t clear when he suffered the injury, but he said he felt pain in his hamstring while doing lower body lifting after the game.
A few days later, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn told the media that Watanabe underwent an MRI and was dealing with a hamstring strain. He has been listed out since with a right hamstring strain.
Watanabe was playing the best basketball of his career prior to the injury, averaging 14.5 points on 60.0 percent shooting from 3-point range in his last four games.
MORE: How changed shooting form helped Yuta Watanabe become Nets’ fan favorite
How long will Yuta Watanabe be out?
Watanabe was ruled out of Brooklyn’s matchup with Atlanta on Friday, but he is close to returning.
Vaughn said Watanabe is “on track” to play against the Pacers on Saturday. Watanabe had previously said he’d like to play in both games but will likely only play in one.
Yuta Watanabe (hamstring) says he would like to play in both games of this weekend’s back to back but says realistically he will only play in one. #Nets
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 6, 2022
The Pacers matchup is the first of four straight on the road for Brooklyn.
MORE: Meet the NBA’s new corner-3 king
Yuta Watanabe career stats, highlights
- 4.2 points per game
- 2.5 rebounds per game
- 0.6 assists per game
- 0.4 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 0.4 turnovers per game
- 12.6 minutes per game
- 43.9 percent shooting
- 39.1 percent 3-point shooting
- 66.7 percent free throw shooting