Brooklyn Nets starters Deron Williams (ankle), Paul Pierce (groin), and Brook Lopez (ankle) have all been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, and Kevin Garnett (ankle) is a game-time decision.
Williams injured his ankle in the first quarter of Friday night’s contest against the Phoenix Suns, landing awkwardly on Miles Plumlee’s foot. Lopez injured his in the fourth quarter on a fall, and Garnett fell into the grounded Lopez. It is not clear when Pierce hurt his groin.
If Pierce and Garnett don’t play, they’ll miss out on their first opportunity this season to play against Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers coach and their former coach with the Boston Celtics.
VIDEO: DERON WILLIAMS’S INJURY
Shaun Livingston will start in place of Williams and Andray Blatche in place of Lopez. Alan Anderson will most likely start in place of Pierce, and if Garnett is unable to play Reggie Evans will likely get the call. Tornike Shengelia — recalled by the Nets from their D-League affiliate earlier today — will also be available to play.
Andrei Kirilenko did not make the west coast trip with the team with back spasms, and he is still unavailable.
