The Nets may have escaped the worst possible news on Cam Thomas — his ankle is “merely” sprained and expected to be re-examined in two weeks — but they’re still going to be without their most prolific scorer for a number of games.

In steps their most pleasantly surprising one: Lonnie Walker IV.

“When [Thomas] went down, it was devastating to see one of us go down,” Brooklyn center Day’Ron Sharpe said. “But I think we just all, the collective group, just came and stepped up. Lonnie stepped up. He’s been doing his thing since the season started.

“Dennis [Smith Jr.] stepped up. [Trendon Watford] stepped up for us. I feel like our bench is deep, so guys go down, we’ve got guys who can step in and can still contribute to help us win.”