Inside The Nets

Jacque Vaughn shares inactivity disappointment with injury-ridden Dorian Finney-Smith: "We miss him"

DFS has missed the last six games for Brooklyn due to ankle issues.

Peter Sunjic

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While he couldn't be upset about his constant appearance on the league's trade speculations with Thursday's trade deadline now on the horizon, Dorian Finney-Smith is meanwhile frustrated with his name being around the Brooklyn Nets’ injury report.

Nursing a left ankle sprain, Dorian got no choice but to sit on the sidelines and support his teammates off the court, an experience that left him fed up considering the urgency that the Nets were dealing with.

Unbearable frustration

Tuesday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks marked the sixth straight game that DFS was inactive due to his ankle issues. Above any other past games that he missed, this served as a gut-wrenching one as it prevented him from facing his former team.

From this, Brooklyn mentor Jacque Vaughn shares the disappointment that Finney-Smith has been enduring.

“I think overall he’s just been disappointed that he hasn’t been able to play for us,” Vaughn said of Finney-Smith before the Nets’ eventual loss against the Mavs. “And he’s not a guy that, you know, wants to be hurt, one of our guys who really enjoys playing and battling, and unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to. We miss him.”

Swiss army knife

Standing as one of the most regarded 3-and-D wings in the league, DFS has been superb in his role as a defender and versatile piece. For 42 games this season, he averaged 9.1 points and 4.8 boards and has shot 38.3 percent from the three-point line.

Regardless of whether DFS will remain on the team's roster or not beyond Thursday’s trade deadline, his service, presence, and skill set have always been incredible aspects for Brooklyn.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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