Mikel Brown Jr. Gets the Vintage Sports Car Treatment for the Weekend

The NBA’s favorite two-word phrase is officially back in rotation. Brooklyn Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. is getting the "injury management" treatment this weekend, meaning he is cleared to play on Saturday but already ruled out for Sunday.

At this point, playing both legs of a back-to-back is basically outlawed for anyone with a pulse and a tweaked joint.

"Underdog NBA reported that Fernandez stated Brown will play Saturday but is ruled out for Sunday."

Brown has been dealing with an ankle issue, though he looked plenty fine when he dropped 15 points in just 18 minutes during a recent preseason run. The rookie combo guard came into the league with plenty of hype after averaging 18.2 points last season, showing off a smooth pull-up jumper that Brooklyn desperately needs.

But the Nets are treating their young guard like a vintage sports car. You can take it out on a Saturday afternoon to show off the engine, but it goes right back in the garage on Sunday.

For anyone looking at the weekend slate, this is your early warning to adjust those Saturday and Sunday slips. Brown will get his run in the first matchup, but Brooklyn’s rotation is going to look completely different 24 hours later.

Expect the Nets to keep playing it safe with their rookie point guard. Until that ankle is fully in the rearview mirror, his schedule is going to look like a guy burning through his PTO.