Report: Nets Optimistic LeVert Can Return Before All-Star Break

Nets guard Caris LeVert shoots over Hawks guard Marco Belinelli on Dec. 4, 2017, at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
Photo credit USA TODAY Images
By WFAN.com

The Brooklyn Nets could soon welcome back one of their best players. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that guard Caris LeVert will return soon to five-on-five practices and that the Nets are optimistic he can be back in the lineup before the All-Star break later this month.

Brooklyn’s Caris LeVert (foot) will return to five on five practice soon and there’s optimism the gifted guard can return to Nets lineup prior to the All-Star Break, league sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 4, 2019

LeVert has been out of action since suffering a subtalar dislocation of his right foot on Nov. 12. The third-year player, who was enjoying a breakout season, was hurt in a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves when he awkwardly landed after trying to block a shot in transition. He was taken off the court on a stretcher. 

Many feared at the time LeVert would be out for the rest of the season, but a day later, the Nets announced the dislocated-foot diagnosis, an injury that did not require surgery.

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LeVert averaged 18.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the 14 games he played in this season before getting hurt.

Without him in the lineup, the Nets managed to win 19 of 26 games, but now, after losing another key guard, Spencer Dinwiddie, to thumb surgery, they've dropped three of their last four and face another tough matchup Monday night at home against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Brooklyn is 28-26 and holds the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.