For three games, Richard Jefferson was just about back for the Nets. There was lift and explosion. And there was confidence - not to mention production. The right ankle problem that plagued him all season was not completely healed, but it wasn't a crushing burden, either.

Still, Jefferson wasn't celebrating. He has been down this path too often. Feel good one game, feel bad the next. But for three games, it was closer to being where he wanted than it had been in a while.

And then he went up for a 3-pointer Saturday, 63 seconds before halftime. He tweaked the ankle again on landing. Start the cycle anew. The frustration is painfully evident.

"It's more you try to tell yourself, 'It's OK, it's OK. It's fine, it's fine.' But it just isn't," Jefferson said. "I come out in the second half and air ball a 15-footer, trying to make sure I get enough lift on my jump shot. That happens and that's a part of the game. Hopefully against Toronto [tomorrow], it will be back to where it was."