Nets go with D-Will off the bench, Kirilenko OUT vs. OKC

Deron Williams

Deron Williams
Deron Williams (AP)
Despite a crushing 104-103 loss on Monday night ending Brooklyn’s undefeated streak with their longball lineup, the Nets will stick with it, electing to bring Deron Williams off the bench for the seventh straight game. Andrei Kirilenko, who was a game-time decision with a sore right calf, will sit out.

Williams first came off the bench on January 21st after returning from ankle rehab. He underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy treatment and cortisone shots on both ankles.

Kirilenko sat out the team’s last two practices with a sore right calf, and Kidd says that while there’s no timetable for his return, it’s only precautionary.

“It’s not that we’re concerned. We wish he was playing, but we’re going on the safer side,” Kidd said of the injury. “We’ll sit him out tonight and see how he feels tomorrow.”

Kirilenko didn’t seem too worried when asked about the calf Wednesday. “Usually it takes a couple of days to feel it,” he said. “Just started feeling a little pressure.”