Mikel Brown Jr., a rookie for the Brooklyn Nets, is currently rehabilitating from a left ankle injury sustained last week. As of Thursday, he has not been cleared for contact but has resumed limited practice. Brown stated, "Yeah, as of right now they’re just telling me you could get back moving a little bit, really just trying to get the strengthening it up back. I mean, I am back on the court moving. That’s all I’m really worried about right now. I’m just taking it one step at a time."
The Nets' training staff has not provided a specific timeline for his recovery, emphasizing the importance of a full recovery over a rushed return. Brown expressed a desire to return to play soon but acknowledged the need for patience, saying, "I feel like I have no choice but to be patient. I want to be out there so bad, but they’ve just been emphasizing to me, ‘Let’s take our time with this stuff and get you back 100 percent.’"
The Nets are set to open their preseason on Tuesday against the Charlotte Hornets, with three additional preseason games scheduled before the regular-season opener on October 21. Brown was non-committal about his participation in the preseason, stating, "I mean, that’s up to the performance staff. I’m just doing what I can to get back on the court as of right now."
In camp, teammate Michael Porter Jr. highlighted Keon Ellis's performance, noting, "Keon has been hooping these first [few] days. He plays the right way. He plays defense. He can really shoot the ball, and he’s been just overall very solid."
Nets coach Jordi Fernández has implemented a non-contact practice to manage player fatigue, stating, "When you’re tired, you can lose it easily. And [Thursday] being a non-contact session and a session that it’s more mental with the film and the walk-throughs and installing new things, your brain needs to be there. It was very positive like an active recovery where you still need to advance." He also mentioned that Friday would involve a high-load game day with extensive playing time, which players are looking forward to.