Nets backup Jalen Wilson stepped in while Cam Thomas was sidelined

In the best case scenario, it would only take one game for the Nets.

They would bring Cam Thomas — who missed Tuesday’s win with a lower back strain that head coach Jordi Fernandez described as “nothing major” — back into their lineup on Friday and would not add Jalen Wilson to the roster.

But in the context of Wilson’s career as a former second-round pick in his second NBA season, his performance against the Hornets was a positive step in his development.

He scored a season-high 17 points while also hitting a career-best five 3-pointers as his work in that area – which began when Brooklyn took him in the draft last year – finally paid off.

And as a young forward on a rebuilding team with a club option for next season, his role could only continue to grow if potentially more valuable starters are dealt before the February trade deadline.

“If you stay in the gym, no matter how high or low the day is, you have to keep working and keep training,” Wilson said after the game. “Like I said, just…knowing the shots are going to be fired and being ready for the shot. We have so many great playmakers on our team, so being ready to shoot at any time helped me.”

During his rookie season, Wilson averaged just 1.7 3-point attempts per game, but that number has increased to 3.7 a month into the 2024-25 season.

While he worked on his 3-point shooting, his focus in games was to try to rush and collapse the defense – creating space for other shooters.

But against Charlotte, the Nets needed Wilson to make those shots.

Little did he know that he had reached a new career high during the game. Only after that – and “it was cool to do that,” Wilson said.

He and the rest of the Nets struggled early, falling into a 17-point hole, but after being held without a shot in the first frame, Wilson attempted eight in the second quarter and sank three of them, including two 3s.

At the start of the second half, Wilson hit a long-range shot to give the Nets their first lead.

He later buried another goal and added a pair of three-pointers early in the fourth period to keep them within striking distance.

Because Thomas didn’t appear on the original injury report before being gradually demoted throughout the day, Wilson didn’t know about the start until shortly before kickoff.

Sure, he had played 30 minutes in a game before this season. Sure, he had already scored 16 points – but he managed both in the opening game.

This time, and for the fourth time in his career, Wilson had a starting spot.

And if the Nets ever need him there again, perhaps on Friday depending on Thomas’ hiring, his performance reflects an ability to handle the increased role.

“After that rocky start,” Fernandez said, “he was really, really good.”