Joshua Jefferson was downgraded from day-to-day to out on Friday's injury report because of a back issue. The 22-year-old forward is now set to miss Brooklyn's next outing, a preseason game against the Hornets on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
What happened
Jefferson was downgraded from day-to-day to out on the Friday, Oct. 16 injury report, issued at 2:42 p.m. ET, with a back and torso issue. He had carried a day-to-day tag since Monday, Oct. 5 with the same back and torso designation. Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reported that Jefferson, dealing with the back injury, would not play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Heat. The report lists his expected return date as Oct. 24.
What it means for the Nets
Brooklyn's next game is a preseason matchup against the Hornets on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Jefferson is not expected to be available under his current timeline. The Nets are 0-0, with the 2026-27 regular season not yet underway, so there is no established per-game line for Jefferson to point to this season. In recent games without him, Michael Porter Jr. has logged 32.5 minutes and 24.2 points, Trevon Scott 30.4 minutes and 8.0 points, Nic Claxton 27.8 minutes and 11.7 points, and Noah Clowney 27.0 minutes and 12.3 points, among those picking up extra run in his absence.
What to watch
The Nets' next injury report will show whether Jefferson's back has improved enough to practice or play. His expected return is listed as Oct. 24, three days after the Wednesday game against the Hornets. Brooklyn will keep monitoring the back and torso issue through the rest of its preseason schedule before any further update on his status.
Is Joshua Jefferson playing vs Hornets on Wed, Oct 21?
No. Jefferson is out with a back injury and is not expected to play when the Nets face the Hornets on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
When will Joshua Jefferson be back?
His expected return is listed as Oct. 24, according to the injury report.