Nets' Jeremy Lin: Expected to return after All-Star break

Coach Kenny Atkinson said Tuesday that he expects Lin (hamstring) to be available for the Nets' first game after the All-Star break, set for Feb. 24 against the Nuggets, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

Analysis:

A recurring hamstring issue has kept Lin out of action for all but 12 games this season, with his last appearance coming Dec. 26 against the Hornets. Lin was said to be nearing a return last month before suffering a setback, but Atkinson indicated that all signs now point toward Lin getting back on the court after the All-Star break following the point guard's full participation in practice Tuesday. While he could require a few games to get back up to speed, the expectation is that Lin will eventually reclaim a spot in the starting lineup, resulting in young point guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Isaiah Whitehead both seeing downturns in playing time. Lin is averaging 13.9 points, 5.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.3 three-pointers in 25.0 minutes per game prior to being sidelined by the injury. That sort of ample production makes him worthy of stashing in just about every format.