Add Jordan Farmar to the ever-growing list of casualties for the Nets this season.
Farmar, who has dealt with groin injuries all season long, was ruled out for at least the next 10 days before last night’s 105-84 loss to the Jazz at Prudential Center.
“Injuries are part of the game,” Farmar said after the game. “I’ve just got to understand that it happens, and you’ve got to get healthy. Health is first and foremost. I’ve got a long career ahead of me — I’m only 25 — and I just want to get it right.
“It was such a nothing-type, minor injury when it first happened that I took it for granted,’’ he said. “I felt I’d be OK in a day, but then it got worse. I sat out a week, and I thought it was OK, because it’s OK when I’m walking around and stuff, but once I get out there and do one thing, it jumps back to square one.”
After meeting with specialists, Farmar said he’s expecting to sit out for at least the next two-to-three weeks. With only a month remaining in the season, that leaves his chances of playing again for the Nets this season in serious jeopardy.
“I’m not sure how it’s gonna work out,” Farmar said. “When I’m 100 percent, I’ll play. If it’s this season, then I’ll be out there. If not, it’d be unfortunate, but I’d have to look forward.”
If Farmar doesn’t play again this season, he could have played his last game in a Nets uniform. He has a player option for next season.
*****The Jazz are currently locked in a struggle with several teams fighting for the final few playoff spots in the Western Conference.
But Deron Williams, who starred at point guard for the Jazz for several years before coming to the Nets in a blockbuster trade last February, sees his former teammates finding a way to get into the second season in the loaded West.
“I think so,” Williams said after scoring 17 points and dishing out 11 assists in his second game against his former team. “They’re playing good basketball right now. They’ve just got to finish strong … they’re right there.”
As for the Nets, who are well outside of playoff contention in the East, the only thing they have left to play for is pride.
“Just try to win,” he said. “That’s all you can do, really.”
*****Avery Johnson wasn’t happy with the way his team finished the game, as the Nets allowed Utah to get three easy lay-ups inside of the final two minutes of the game.
“When we took our starters out of the game, I’m really disappointed in the guys that we put in the game there for the last two or three minutes of the game,” Johnson said. “We didn’t show the professionalism and character that I would have liked.”