Jeremy Lin and Caris LeVert aren't taking their rehab easy.
The two Nets guards have missed extended time with lower-body injuries in the 2016 calendar year, with Lin out the previous 16 games with a hamstring injury and LeVert making his NBA debut after his third surgery to his left foot in Brooklyn's 116-111 win over Denver Wednesday after last playing Feb. 13 for the University of Michigan.
Lin won't be back when the Nets (6-15) travel to San Antonio for a matchup Saturday night. But he was a full participant in Friday's practice for the first time since suffering the injury.
And what did the two guards do for more than 15 minutes after practice Friday? Stayed for some one-on-one action.
"You have to put in more work than anyone else because you've been out for so long," said LeVert, who was drafted No. 20 this June. "So it's something I'm used to now."
LeVert and coach Kenny Atkinson said they thought Lin looked good at practice.
Atkinson added there's no timetable on Lin's return, as the team is still taking it day-by-day, leaning on the medical team and performance staff's advice, but having the veteran running on the court was positive for the entire team.
"Just his presence is huge for us," Atkinson said. "His presence in the locker room and you have more sway if you're playing. He's been great without playing, very supportive of the guys, but it's just different when you're out there sweating with the guys."
Lin looked sharp at practice, hitting his shots, driving to the basket and moving the ball. For LeVert, the opportunity to get additional work with a six-year NBA veteran is a welcomed bonus.
"We're doing sort of the same things with rehab and conditioning and stuff," he said, "so it's always good to go through that type of stuff with another person."
