Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Undergoes successful surgery
Rotowire
Whitehead underwent successful season-ending surgery on his left shin stress reaction Monday and is expected to need three months to recover, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.
As expected, Whitehead will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to the injury, but despite a third surgery in two years, the rookie is expected to be a full participant during the Nets' offseason development program this summer. The Duke product was one of the top high school prospects in 2022 but underwent a procedure on his right foot before his freshman season and needed another surgery following the campaign because the injury didn't heal properly. Injury concerns didn't prevent Brooklyn from using the 22nd overall pick in 2023 to draft Whitehead, and the 19-year-old could still have a bright future if he's able to stay on the court consistently.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Out for rest of season
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Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn said Saturday that Whitehead will undergo season-ending surgery to address a stress reaction to his left shin, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Whitehead was one of the top high school prospects in the 2022 signing class and the MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game, but his long-term outlook has been hindered since he began his college career at Duke in 2022-23. He underwent surgery on his right foot prior to the start of his freshman season, but after turning in solid but unspectacular numbers over his 28 games with Duke, he required another surgery in June after his foot didn't properly heal from the first procedure. Despite Whitehead's health concerns, the Nets still opted to select him with the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but he made just two appearances with Brooklyn and 17 in the G League before suffering another lower-body injury. With another major surgery on tap, the 19-year-old Whitehead might not be ready to play during the 2024 Las Vegas Summer League and could even face restrictions for the start of training camp in the fall.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Suffers stress reaction
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The Nets announced Thursday that Whitehead is out indefinitely after he was diagnosed with a left shin stress reaction, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.
Treatment options are still being evaluated for the rookie first-round pick, but it's likely that Whitehead will miss multiple weeks. The injury is a discouraging setback for Whitehead, whose NBA career had already gotten off to a delayed start after he underwent surgery on his right foot in June prior to being drafted. He has made just two appearances for the Nets this season with a total of 24 minutes played.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: To remain out Wednesday
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Whitehead (foot) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Trail Blazers.
Whitehead's absence won't affect Brooklyn's rotation. The rookie forward's next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with the Lakers.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Not available Monday
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Whitehead is listed as out for Monday's game against the Heat for right foot injury maintenance.
Whitehead hadn't played in a game at the G League level since last Wednesday prior to his call-up to Brooklyn earlier Monday, so his lack of availability comes as somewhat of a surprise. The Nets have eased the rookie first-round pick along slowly this season after he underwent surgery on his right foot in June, as he's regularly taken games off during particularly busy portions of the G League schedule.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: With NBA club Wednesday
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Whitehead is available for Wednesday's game against the Bucks, NBA freelance journalist Billy Reinhardt reports.
The Nets are resting Nic Claxton (ankle), Cameron Johnson (knee) and Spencer Dinwiddie (not injury related) on Wednesday, while Lonnie Walker (hamstring) and Ben Simmons (back) remain out, so Whitehead, Armoni Brooks, Noah Clowney and Keon Johnson will all be available versus Milwaukee and could crack the rotation. Whitehead has made just one NBA appearance this season, recording one point and one block in three minutes during a blowout win over Miami on Nov. 25.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Won't play Saturday
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Whitehead has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Magic due to right foot injury maintenance, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.
Whitehead's NBA debut was delayed while rehabbing from offseason foot surgery. He's been cleared to play in games, but the Nets will continue to be cautious with the rookie, meaning periodic maintenance days could be a regular occurrence throughout the campaign.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Makes NBA debut Saturday
Rotowire
Whitehead contributed one point (1-2 FT) and one block across three minutes during Saturday's 112-97 victory over the Heat.
After being recalled from the G League's Long Island Nets prior to Saturday, Whitehead made his NBA debut. He saw his limited run in garbage time and doesn't look like he'll be a regular contributor to the rotation anytime soon.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Back with Brooklyn
Rotowire
Whitehead (foot) was recalled from the G League's Long Island Nets on Wednesday, freelance NBA journalist Billy Reinhardt reports.
Whitehead had already been ruled out for Brooklyn's game against the Clippers on Wednesday, and it seems likely that he'll remain out despite being recalled. However, he progressed to 5-on-5 work in practice last week and could be nearing a return from his foot injury.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Progresses to 2-on-2
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Coach Jacque Vaughn said Sunday that Whitehead (foot) has progressed to playing 2-on-2 with coaches, Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Whitehead didn't make any appearances during preseason action while rehabbing from offseason foot surgery. When healthy, the rookie will presumably get some work in the G League before he's given a chance with the NBA club.
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Nets' Dariq Whitehead: Will miss preseason opener
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Whitehead (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's preseason opener against the Lakers, Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Whitehead has been limited to begin training camp while working his way back from offseason foot surgery. The rookie was a heralded high school recruit, but he fell down draft boards due to a lingering foot injury during his lone season at Duke. It's unclear when Whitehead will be cleared for game action, but the Nets will presumably be cautious, meaning the No. 22 overall pick doesn't have much fantasy value to open the 2023-24 campaign.
