Jeremy Lin injury news, update: Brooklyn Nets served another defeat despite point guard's return to starting lineup
Jeremy Lin is finally back on the court after being sidelined due to a hamstring injury that he sustained during the Brooklyn Nets' match against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 2. However, despite his return, the team was defeated by the Toronto Raptors, 104–116. The latest loss gives the Brooklyn Nets a 7–20 win–loss record this season.
Lin, who scored 12 points and four assists during the game, spoke about his return and the match's results.
"Just disappointed. Felt like we didn't play as hard as we're supposed to, and that's never a good thing. We didn't do a good job of getting stops. They just did whatever they wanted, killed us in transition, they go to the free-throw line, they beat us and got offensive rebounds. We didn't play with heart," Lin said (via the New York Post).
It's possible that the defeat could also have been due to Brook Lopez's absence. The Brooklyn Nets center and lead scorer was resting due to the team's upcoming back-to-back bouts with the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With 4:34 left in the first half, the Nets were able to cut the Raptors' lead to four but after a three-pointer by Lin, the team missed shots and committed turnovers that allowed the Raptors to end the first half with a 19-point lead.
Coach Kenny Atkinson revealed that he was upset during halftime because the team's performance during the first half just wasn't good but later on commended the players and was proud of how the team completed the second half.
Given these results, it seems that the team still has a lot to work on despite the return of Lin to the starting lineup.
"None of us thought this was going to be easy. It's a great challenge... and we all knew that," general manager Sean Marks told WFAN Sports Radio on Tuesday (via NetsDaily), adding that defense is "definitely a concern for Kenny and our staff."
The Brooklyn Nets will go up against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. EST at Barclays Center in New York City. The team will then face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 23.