Nets combo guard Keon Johnson has seen his playing time spike with the injury to starter Cam Thomas.
But he knows he’s promised nothing upon Thomas’ return.
“Nothing is guaranteed, and it’s not guaranteed for him or anybody else,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “So the group’s been doing great. There’s going to be guys at times going in and out of the rotation.
“I hope if you’re out of the rotation, you work really hard to get back in. If you’re in the second group, you work hard to be in the first group. That’s important because that just helps the entire group to be better.”
Johnson is averaging 26 minutes over his past seven games, after averaging just 12.6 with a couple of DNPs through the first 17.
“Just coming in every night and competing hard on the defensive end, and really just playing hard on the defensive end,” Johnson said.
“Coach Jordi says all the time to keep letting the ball fly, keep shooting. It’s something that I’m continuing to work on and something I’m just getting more and more comfortable with. [That’s] pretty much it; just continuing to play hard and let the game come to me.”
Injured Nets forward Ziaire Williams is back on the court and working out, but has no clear timetable for a return.
“He’s doing individual workouts. He’s progressing, he’s doing great, and we’ll see how he does now,” Fernandez said. “But he’s doing good, next step now.”
Williams missed the past three games dealing with a sprained left knee, and hasn’t played since Dec. 1.
“I have no idea [when I’ll play]. Just me being honest. No clue. Hopefully sooner than later, though,” Williams said. “Just been doing a lot of simple stuff right now. Not moving too much, but definitely making good progress. Just listening to the training staff. I’m the type of guy who wants to just do everything right away, so they’ve been holding me back just a little bit, just out of precaution.
“Moving pretty well right now. Haven’t been any setbacks or anything so I should be back pretty soon.”
Emmy winning producer Frank DiGraci is leaving YES Network for NBC Sports as the coordinating producer of their upcoming NBA coverage for next season.
The news was first reported by Front Office Sports, and confirmed by The Post. He’ll stay on through the end of this season.
Nets owner Joe Tsai had his purchase of 2.9 percent of the Miami Dolphins approved Wednesday at the NFL’s winter meetings.
The price was estimated at more than $200 million, which values the Dolphins at $8.1 billion.
It also includes a piece of Hard Rock Stadium and the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, per reports, though not a path to ownership for Tsai.
Nets alternate governor Oliver Weisberg — who runs Blue Pool Capital, Tsai’s family investment vehicle — will own 0.1 percent, per the Sports Business Journal.
Long Island Nets forward A.J. Lawson inked a two-way contract with the Raptors.
He’s a Toronto native who was averaging 24.0 points and 6.6 boards.
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