Joe Johnson is hopeful about returning to action Friday night against the Mavericks at Barclays, but the Nets guard is still not certain.

“I want to say yeah, but I don’t want to jump out on a limb,” Johnson said after practice today. “We’re still trying to do the necessary things to get me back out there as soon as possible.”

Johnson has missed the last three games with a sore left heel, but he said earlier in the week that he’d be back tomorrow night. He declared today that the heel’s improving and also believes this won’t be a season-long issue.

“It’s better. It’s not 100 percent, but it’s definitely a lot better.

I’m able to get out here and move around, work out and get back acclimated with the guys. I missed that more than anything,” Johnson said.

“I hope [it’s not an all-year problem]. But I think every day it’s gotten a lot better, to the point where I can get out of bed now and don’t have to limp warming up. It’s definitely getting better.”

If Johnson is out again Friday, C.J. Watson would presumably start at two-guard.

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MarShon Brooks (sprained right wrist) did not practice today.