The NBA is investigating the Brooklyn Nets to see if they violated player availability rules in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 27. The Nets rested several players, and pulled others after limited playing time in the 144-122 loss to the Bucks.

Nicolas Claxton, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and Cameron Johnson all sat out the game. Mikal Bridges, Royce O'Neale and Cam Thomas were all pulled after the first quarter.

Following the game, Bridges expressed disappointment in the decision. Bridges said he would prefer to play when he's able to.

Before the game, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn admitted that Bridges only played because of his consecutive games played streak. When told of those comments, Bridges said: “I guess for their purposes is why. But I’m healthy, so I [don’t] see why I wouldn’t play.”

Jacque Vaughn said it was an executive decision to rest players.

“I’ve got to think short term and long term and make executive decisions for the betterment of the group,” Vaughn said. “It’s unfortunate tonight that they just got to the point where we’re putting them in harm’s way by putting them out there tonight.”

Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges is an NBA ironman. He rarely misses games and tends to play a lot of minutes. That ability and reputation had Bridges frustrated after playing only 12 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

“Didn’t like the choice and whatever that was," Bridges said when asked about the low minutes against Milwaukee. "But it’s whatever. Definitely was not a fan.”

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn was trying to manage some minutes on a back-to-back for Brooklyn. The previous night, Bridges had played almost 40 minutes in a road win over the Detroit Pistons.

Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons is starting to feel better, as he recovers from another back injury. Simmons isn't putting a timetable on a return, but hopes it comes shortly after the calendar changes to 2024. That hope is driven in part by how frustrated the former All-Star is to be sidelined again.

"It's probably one of the most frustrating points in my career just because I wanna be out there to help my team win and compete," Simmons said. "But at the end of the day, it's one of those things that's a part of sports. Not every game's promised. Injuries happen. Unfortunately, it happens. So, for me, it's just focusing on what I can do now and doing what I can to get back on the floor and contribute."

Simmons has missed 21 games in a row since injury his back against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 6. Overall, the versatile Net has played in just six games this season, after appearing in only 42 games over the prior two seasons.

Dennis Smith Jr. could return to the Brooklyn Nets' rotation on Friday after missing the last six games with an upper back sprain.

Smith was cleared for full basketball activities.

Lonnie Walker IV has also been ramping up basketball activities and is hoping to return next week.

Ben Simmons will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Ben Simmons (left lower back nerve impingement) has displayed consistent strength improvement in the affected area over the past two weeks and has further increased individual court work.

Simmons status will be updated again in approximately two weeks.

Nic Claxton reiterated his desire to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets this summer during an interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

"Hopefully, everything works out with Brooklyn. I love it here," Claxton told Scotto.

Claxton is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Claxton is projected to make around $21 million per season in his next deal, according to a poll of 12 NBA executives.

Claxton is averaging 12.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks on the season. 

Ben Simmons received an epidural injection to aid in the recovery of his lower back injury, the Brooklyn Nets announced on Saturday.

Simmons will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Simmons is averaging 6.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 10.8 rebounds in 6 games this season.

Lonnie Walker IV will miss the Brooklyn Nets game on Saturday with a left hamstring strain.

Walker is averaging 14.6 points per game on the season.

The Nets also ruled Dennis Smith Jr. as probable, with Ben Simmons still out due to a back injury.