NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets rookie forward Joshua Jefferson has not made his NBA debut yet as he continues to deal with back tightness that is preventing him from fully engaging in practice activities. Brooklyn was able to see the debut of rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr. and while that went well, head coach Jordi Fernandez provided more details on what Jefferson is dealing with.
"He's not joined the group fully yet. He's been part of the group, but he's not ready to come back yet. I cannot answer that question with the imaging," Fernandez said to the media after Friday's practice. As Fernandez said, Jefferson has not been able to fully participate in practice as he deals with his back tightness, but Fernandez also doesn't know if Jefferson has had imaging on his back.
Jefferson, 22, was taken by the Nets with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as a result of the trade that brought forward Julius Randle to the team from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jefferson had to rehab from an ankle injury following his senior season with the Iowa State Cyclones, but he was able to play for the Nets in their summer league circuit this offseason.
In three games played in the Las Vegas Summer League, Jefferson averaged 7.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 33.3% from the field and 12.5% from behind the three-point line. Since Jefferson has been unable to participate in any of the preseason games, it's hard to say where he factors within Fernandez's rotation, but he's likely to see some frontcourt minutes at some point this season.
Time will tell if Jefferson will be able to play on opening night on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets, but as Erik Slater of ClutchPoints captured on video, the former Iowa State Cyclone was running sprints after Friday's practice ended. The hope is that Jefferson will be able to play on Wednesday and if not, that he's not out of fully participating in practice for a prolonged period of time.
Jordi Fernandez said Joshua Jefferson (back stiffness) is not ready to return:
— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 16, 2026
“He hasn’t joined the group fully. He’s been part of the group, but he’s not ready to come back.”
Fernandez couldn’t answer whether Jefferson has had imaging. Here’s the rookie doing conditioning: pic.twitter.com/IN7OTK7eaj
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets rookie Joshua Jefferson is still dealing with back stiffness