For the first time in memory, Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd will have a healthy team to work with going into Thursday night’s game against the Spurs at Barclays Center.
Naturally, Kidd was tight-lipped and vague regarding injuries. But backup center Andray Blatche, starting small forward Joe Johnson and versatile reserve Andrei Kirilenko all practiced on Wednesday and are expected to play against the Spurs.
Johnson sat out Monday’s victory over Philadelphia with right knee tendinitis. He had hoped it would be only a one-game absence.
“It was good getting back out here with the guys and getting up and down the floor,” Johnson said Wednesday. “Once I kind of get warmed up, it’s all right. We’ll see how it feels [Thursday], but the plan is to play.”
Kirilenko missed three straight games with a sore right calf, and Blatche has been out for the last two with a bruised hip.
“I feel pretty good,’’ said Kirilenko, who doesn’t expect to have any minutes restrictions when he returns. “Nothing’s bothering me, so I’m ready to go.’’
That bodes well for Brooklyn, which is 12-5 when Kirilenko plays and 9-20 when he doesn’t.