HOUSTON — Cam Thomas is known for his prolific scoring.
But it was something beyond the banged-up guard’s bucket-getting that coach Jordi Fernández praised Monday.
“He’s been resilient. He’s gotten beat up in every single way possible, and the kid keeps going,” Fernández said before his team’s 137-109 loss to the Rockets. “So, he’s done a great job. His voice has grown, and that’s what we need. That’s what we want to see. And continue to grow every single game. And then from there, we’ll get what we deserve, for sure.”
Thomas was averaging 29.3 points despite suffering a nasal fracture, requiring stitches over his left eye Sunday and needing ice on his right hand, before being held to nine points Monday.
After a contract stalemate and returning on the $5.99 million qualifying offer, Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The Nets assigned Drake Powell and Danny Wolf to their G-League affiliate Long Island.
The rookies, each of whom has been out with a sprained ankle, left the road trip and flew back to New York, with Long Island having started practice Monday.
The Nets hosts the Hawks on Wednesday and do not play again until Sunday.
“We have a plan for everybody. Sometimes, those plans have to be made on the go because we didn’t know they’d sprain their ankles,” Fernández said. “They did. Now, they’re ready to practice. Now, they can get real practices. That’s very good that they can do that, so when we need them, they’re ready to go.
“I’m very happy with the resources we have, how we use them, and it’s good that they have this practice and then they can help us soon.”
Ziaire Williams missed Monday with a lower back/glute contusion.
Egor Dëmin was rested as injury management for his left plantar fascia tear.
Asked if Dëmin would sit back-to-backs for the foreseeable future, Fernández said that wasn’t the case.
“No, just right now. It’s a proper buildup so he is able to sustain loads and minutes,” Fernández said. “When you play a game, to recover and be able to play the next one, if you haven’t done it, that’s where your body cannot sustain it. But he’ll be fine.”
At least one of the three rookie lead guards had been on the court for 125 of a possible 144 minutes entering Monday.
With Dëmin out, Nolan Traore tallied three points, three assists and two rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
“They just want to see me be consistent,” Traore told The Post before the game.
“I’m excited for him. He’s been working and ready to go,” Fernández said. “These are the opportunities that we were talking about. Egor, right now, we’re managing his proper buildup to be able to play consistent minutes, and grow the minutes and back-to-backs. And now is an opportunity for Nolan.
“So that’s a good thing to see somebody else coming in, and just puts pressure on the other guys and everybody has to be a little bit better and a little bit better every game. It’s a good thing. I’m excited for him.”
