Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was cleared for a return for the first time in two months since suffering a groin strain during an exhibition game in China with former teammate Jeremy Lin. Hollis-Jefferson has been practicing in full capacity despite missing all the preseason games and is now in line to make the season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
“Whenever they give a green light, we’re good,” said Hollis-Jefferson, according to Greg Logan of Newsday. “Because I play so energetic and all over the place, it’s definitely good to be in control, understand how you play and get that natural feel back.”
After missing such a long stretch of time, it's unlikely that Hollis-Jefferson will regain his starting position right away, as he has been slowly recuperating from his unfortunate injury.
“We’re integrating him slowly,” said coach Kenny Atkinson. “He’s with the second team right now, but that’s nothing set in stone… It was a big setback. I feel bad for him. He worked his tail off all summer.”
The young forward has kept positive even if it takes a while to fully get back to his aggressive form on the court.
“Adversity happens, and you have to deal with it,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “Coming back from China, my mindset was just to lock in and get better each day, listen to the training staff and the coaching staff and just make the best of it.”
Despite being a projected starter heading into this season, Hollis-Jefferson will have to unseat veteran Jared Dudley and Kenneth Faried as the clear starting power forward in the rotation as he regains his groove.
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