Deron Williams practicing almost in full but still out Friday

Ever closer, he edges to a return, his team on the brink in his stead.

Deron Williams participated in the majority of the Brooklyn Nets practice on Thursday and appeared to be shooting around without any issue on Friday, but he remains officially on the shelf. He's been ruled out for Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors, but his practice escalation leaves hope for a return next week.

Williams' move to contact drills Thursday, however minimal, is the first contact he's played with since Jan. 7, when he was last able to suit up before a fractured rib cartilage sat him down.

"It wasn't like I did a lot," Williams said. "Those guys are playing heavy minutes right now and some guys are banged up, so there's not much practice we can do."

The injury officially remains a day-to-day matter. With the 18-27 Nets a half-game out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture and having lost 11 of their last 13 games - including a 2-10 mark since Jan. 5, a stretch during which Williams has managed just four minutes - his return will be welcomed. Williams hasn't been quite his old self again this season, but the Nets are 7.1 points per-100 possessions better with him than without him.

In 32 games, the 30-year-old Williams is averaging 13.9 points, three rebounds and 6.3 assists with a slightly above-average player efficiency rating (PER) of 16.8. Jarrett Jack has been starting in his place, averaging 11.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists on the year with a slightly below-average 13.9 PER.