Nets injuries becoming growing concern with Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas exiting Warriors win early

SAN FRANCISCO – The Nets added Cam Johnson and Cam Thomas to their list of wounded, both forced out of Monday’s win.

Brooklyn was without Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ben Simmons and Noah Clowney already.

But Johnson sprained his right ankle in the first quarter landing on Draymond Green’s foot, and hobbled through the final 7:22 of the first half before not returning in the second.

The Nets had no update on his status.

Thomas had 23 points but was pulled with 6:43 left in the third.

He missed the Charlotte game with a sore back, was under the weather Friday in Philadelphia to start the road trip, and got rested by Jordi Fernandez.

“I ended up taking him out because he took a foul, he was tired,” said Fernandez. “I didn’t feel it was right. And I just wanted to protect him from himself.”

Simmons rested Monday because he’s not cleared for back to backs, but is expected to return Wednesday in Phoenix.

Finney-Smith (ankle) and Claxton (back) are both TBD against the Suns, who are getting Kevin Durant back Tuesday night.

After an up-and-down start to the season, Clowney had the best performance of his career in Sunday’s 108-103 win at Sacramento, and promptly got hurt.

He missed the tail end of the back-to-back against the Warriors with a sprained left ankle.

Clowney had an MRI, the results of which weren’t in by tipoff at Chase Center, and Nets coach Jordi Fernandez wasn’t sure if the young big had X-rays.

“It could be worse, and it ain’t worse. So, I’m happy,” said Clowney.

Claxton’s back bears watching.

He first injured it over the summer, calling it a “long-term thing” and acknowledging that he’ll “probably be managing for a while.”

Neither Claxton nor Fernandez could say what ‘a while’ meant.

“In professional sports, especially in this league, a lot of these guys play with bumps and bruises. What we need them is to believe that they’re good to go,” said Fernandez. “And if we feel like a guy is not confident, we’re gonna let them make the decisions. I think that’s fair. If you play and you’re afraid to get hurt, you’re going to get hurt. So we don’t want that for Nic or anybody.

“We’re going to help him be confident, and when he’s on the court it’s because he feels 200 percent. So that’s where we are right now with Nic.”

Ziaire Williams had to start as a small-ball center with injury-riddled Brooklyn playing five-out.

He had his second career double-double with 17 points and 10 boards.

He didn’t recall playing center in the the NBA or college.

“Shoot man, probably high school. In high school I was a point-center,” said Williams. “It’s fun, man, I just love to play, love to compete. Whatever coach wants me to do, I just go out there and give my full effort.”