After starting 17 games this season, Blake Griffin has been removed the rotation of the Brooklyn Nets. Griffin has sat the past two games after Steve Nash inserted LaMarcus Aldridge into the starting lineup.

"No, I mean listen, [Aldridge] has been playing unbelievable," Griffin said. "So, I totally get starting him, especially Joe [Harris] has been out, and I totally get that.

"Being completely out of it, though, I didn't necessarily see that coming. But that's not my decision. As players it's our job to do whatever coaches see best, so at this point that's what it is."

Griffin was a productive player for the Nets last season, but he's struggled this season.

"Well, I feel for him," Steve Nash said. "That's not easy. You know it's tough when you go through a rough stretch of play and the world kind of caves in on you a little bit. I've been there and understand it. We have to give other guys an opportunity at this point, but Blake's had a great attitude. I really admire him for being positive through this and keeping himself ready so if his opportunity comes back, he can have an impact."

Joe Harris is expected to miss four to eight weeks with ankle surgery.

The surgery will address "a little bone particle" in the ankle of Harris.

Harris has played in just 14 games this season, averaging 11.3 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 46.6 percent on three-pointers. 

The Brooklyn Nets started LaMarcus Aldridge at center instead of Blake Griffin in their win on Wednesday at the Boston Celtics.

Aldridge had previously admitted he had been struggling in his adjustment to a bench role while Griffin hasn't played well to start the season. Griffin has missed an inordinate percentage of his open looks, which has complicated their spacing.

“That’s part of it for sure,” said Steve Nash. “Our spacing has struggled at times and also has hurt our pace a little bit. So we try to find different combinatitons that work and also that style of play. Keep pushing towards an identity. We’re not a team that can just iso and just play slow because we don’t have a ton of shooting out there.

“So if we’re going to play against loaded defenses, it’s going to be hard no matter if your name is Kevin Durant or James Harden. It’s just tough to go one-on-two, one-on-three with that picture. We’ve got to play quick, move the defense, move the help and attack. That’s something we’re still trying to work towards and get there. And that’s an identity and a purpose that’s going to take us a long time to get to. But we’re showing signs and we’re improving and we’re enjoying it.”

LaMarcus Aldridge became a starter in the second half of his rookie season in with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2006-07. Since then, Aldridge hadn't come off the bench until he was no longer part of the plans with the San Antonio Spurs in 2021. Not starting has been a way of life upon his return to the Brooklyn Nets this season.

Aldridge has played as a reserve in 17 of the Nets first 18 games. The big man has played well, averaging 13.4 points per game on career-best 57.7% shooting. But Aldridge says the transition hasn't been easy.

“It’s very difficult. You’ve been one type of player or a certain type of player your whole career. It’s definitely different coming off the bench and not playing much,” Aldridge said. “So it’s been difficult. … I’m still trying to figure it out and navigate it and find my spots. And I’m just trying to find my ways to try and help out.”

After joining the Nets in 2020-21, following a buyout from the Spurs, Aldridge played in just five games. He was then forced to leave Brooklyn following discovery of a heart condition. While away from the NBA, Aldridge got treatment and was able to find a way to play. He returned to the Nets on a one-year deal this offseason.

Nic Claxton has missed the past three weeks with an undisclosed non-COVID illness. Claxton could miss an additional few weeks.

“Yeah, I’m in the ramp-up stage right now. I’m reconditioning myself. I got sick, I lost a lot of weight,” Claxton told The Post at a Nets charity event in Brooklyn. “But I put the weight back on, and I’m feeling good and I’m hoping to be back within the next couple of weeks.” 

Claxton declined to go into details on the nature of the illness.

“I was sick. That’s the extent I want to go with,” Claxton laughed when pressed on the nature of his illness. “I was sick. But I’m feeling better now. I’m getting back to where I need to be so I can get out there and play. I’m excited to get back out there with my teammates.” 

Claxton began the season as Brooklyn's starting center and is a better defensive player than their other options at the position. 

Kevin Durant missed his first game of the season on Friday due to a right shoulder sprain.

"Let me put it in this context: We don't feel concerned that it'll linger or that he'd miss the next game," Steve Nash told reporters before the game. "It's just a pocket in the season [to find him some rest] where it's not like he sits tonight and plays tomorrow or Sunday. He actually gets a few days rest on top of rest of the shoulder [before the Nets play again on Monday], and so there was multiple factors that I think made it attractive for us to choose this game for him to sit."

Durant acknowledged Sunday that he had been getting treatment on his shooting shoulder but had been playing through the issue.

The Philadelphia 76ers reportedly have a wide list of targets they'd consider in a trade for Ben Simmons. That list includes a couple of old friends of those in power in Philadelphia.

A year after the Sixers tried to trade Simmons to the Houston Rockets for James Harden, the team is considering making another run at the star guard. Harden, a Daryl Morey favorite, did not sign a contract extension with the Brooklyn Nets. That has some in the 76ers organization wondering if a package built around Simmons could entice Sean Marks and the Nets to make a deal.

Another target is former Philadelphia forward Jerami Grant. The Sixers have held talks with the Detroit Pistons that were built around a Simmons for Grant swap. Grant started his career with the 76ers before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash said he does keep in touch with Kyrie Irving. However, Nash said he and the exiled guard don't really talk about basketball.

Due to a New York City mandate that resident performers must be vaccinated to enter large indoor venues, Irving has not played in a game this season. Irving has been outspoken that vaccination statuses are a personal and private decision. There was a point where it looked like the Nets star would join the team for road games, but Brooklyn shut that down before the season started.

Despite Irving's absence, Nash described his team as "loaded". Nash also said Kevin Durant has equaled his playing form from before his Achilles' tear.

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant have been named the NBA's Players of the Week for Week 4.

Curry averaged 34.8 points, 7.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds as the Golden State Warriors went 3-1.

Durant averaged 32.3 points and 7.8 rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets went 3-1.

The Brooklyn Nets won at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in a homecoming of sorts for Kevin Durant and James Harden. Both players started their careers with the Thunder, with Harden being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2012. Durant later left Oklahoma City for the Golden State Warriors as a free agent in 2016.

Following the Nets victory, Durant said he didn't think the Thunder would trade Harden. He also said he never thought the two would team up again.

Durant has had a contentious relationship with Oklahoma City and their fans since leaving. That didn't keep the Nets star from admitting the Thunder "set the foundation for where I am today".

Harden was asked if he's surprised the OKC fans still booed him. Harden said "It wasn't my fault" that he was traded. Harden said it didn't cross his mind that this was the first game he and Durant had played together in Oklahoma City.