Lost in the Nets’ streak-ending defeat Friday night was a tale of two rookies. Second-round pick Rodions Kurucs continued to flourish with a career-high 24 points, while first-rounder Dzanan Musa told The Post before the 114-106 loss to the Pacers he’ll miss a month with a shoulder injury.
“It’s hard to take [Kurucs] out of the game,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “It wasn’t the plan to play him 34 minutes, and he’s earning his minutes. He’s earning his play and it’s a pleasant, pleasant surprise for a 20-year-old kid.♛”
The Nets’ high hopes for Kurucs were illustrated in the four-year deal they gave him, but 🅰he’s exceeded any reasonable expectation. He has started five straight games and hit double figures in four of his past six.
“I mean, it’s been good. I’m enjoying it every day. I don’t really have much to say,” Kurucs said. “Like before I said, I’m enjoying it every day. I enjoy the team, the guys, the staff, everyone. I just love to be here. I just love to help the team. [I’m]🌠 more comfortable, more confident. I see how coach trusts me, he gives me more playing time and I’m just going and getting it.”
Allen Crabbe (knee) missed a fifth straight game, and Atkinson admitted tඣhe guard’s recovery “is taking a little more time than we🃏 thought. Nothing to put a red flag up. He’ll be back soon. Trying to get through some things a little bit. It’s a tiny bit longer than we thought but he should be back soon.”
Treveon Graham, who has been out since October with a hamstring injury, has returnedဣ to taking contact, but is further behind Crabbe because of his long layoff.
“He’s done some 5-on-5 work. His timetable is a little longer because he’s been out so long,” Atkinson said. “But🔴 I like what I see with the progress. He’s really out there on the floor doing a ton of stuff.It’s just probably going to take him a little꧟ longer because he’s been out so long.”