WASHINGTON (AP) - New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams will miss at least three games because of an injured right wrist.
Nets coach Avery Johnson said the wrist will be re-evaluated after Williams sits out those games.
“It’s something that we know: rest _ not surgery _ is required,” Johnson said. “We’ll treat him. We’ll rest him.”
Williams missed Sunday’s game at Washington and will not play in Monday’s game with Indiana and Wednesday’s at Cleveland.
Johnson says he doesn’t want to shut down Williams for the rest of the year.
“He’s a guy that likes to play games,” Johnson said.
On Sunday morning, Williams sat in New Jersey’s locker room and said he was disappointed, but didn’t want to rule out playing again this season.
“I’m just getting a little rest and then re-evaluate it,” Williams said. “Maybe a couple of more games. It’s not really set in stone. I’ll just see how it feels.”
He doesn’t want to thinking about calling it a year with 15 games left.
“We’ll see how it feels. Who knows? I hate sitting out,” Williams said.
Williams, who was acquired in a trade with Utah last month, has played in eight games for the Nets. He’s averaging 14.8 points and 13.1 assists. Williams ranks third in the NBA with an average of 10.1 assists.
Johnson said in the short time Williams has played for New Jersey, he’s seen what he can do at the point.
“I’ve seen enough, so I’m not overly disappointed,” Johnson said. “We’ve seen flashes in certain situations.”
Williams originally hurt the wrist earlier this year with the Jazz.
“It’s been a tough two, two-and-a-half months,” Williams said.
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