Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas is nearing a return after missing the team's last eight games with an ankle sprain. The Nets listed Thomas as doubtful on their initial status report for Tuesday's NBA In-Season Tournament matchup with the Toronto Raptors.

The Nets announced Wednesday that Thomas has made significant progress and is expected to rejoin team activities in the coming week. Head coach Jacque Vaughn said Sunday that Brooklyn hopes to have the shooting guard run through simulated scrimmages this week.

The 23-year-old had carried a Nets offense that ranked ninth at the time of his injury, averaging 28.7 points per game, the ninth-most in the NBA up to that point.

Nets injury report

Brooklyn listed Nic Claxton as questionable after he was sidelined during Sunday's win over Chicago with a left ankle sprain. Claxton missed eight games after spraining the same ankle in Brooklyn's season opener. The fifth-year center ranks third in the NBA in blocks, averaging 2.7 per game.

Dennis Smith Jr. is also questionable after sitting out Brooklyn's last four games with a lower back sprain. The Nets missed Smith Jr.'s high-level point-of-attack defense against Tyrese Maxey and Trae Young in recent losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks. At the time of his injury, the 26-year-old was allowing the second-lowest defended field goal percentage among all NBA guards (minimum 35 shots defended).

Ben Simmons remains out after Brooklyn announced Wednesday that he will be reevaluated in 7-10 days. Tuesday's game will mark the three-time All-Star's 10th consecutive absence due to a nerve impingement in his surgically repaired back.

Simmons is averaging 6.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists in six appearances this season.