In surprise, Joshua Jefferson will be ready Wednesday

Brooklyn Nets rookie Joshua Jefferson has been cleared to play and will be available for Wednesday's season opener against the Charlotte Hornets. Head coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed that Jefferson participated in full-contact practice on Monday following an extended absence due to back stiffness and a prior college ankle injury. While cleared, it remains Fernandez's decision whether the rookie forward will make his official NBA debut during the game.

Selected 28th overall in the draft via a trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 23-year-old Iowa State product missed training camp and all four preseason games. Jefferson is the Nets' oldest first-round pick since Mason Plumlee in 2013. Meanwhile, Brooklyn reported that two-way player Tyler Bilodeau is the only teammate ruled out for the opener due to a shoulder sprain.