NEW YORK - Brooklyn Nets rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played on Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets for the first time since Dec. 4.
Hollis-Jefferson played 15 minutes of the Nets' 105-100 loss and recorded five points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
"I love the spirit of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson,'' interim coach Tony Brown said. "He's getting a chance to play again and they're playing their butts off when they're out there.''
Hollis-Jefferson, 21, missed the previous 50 games after undergoing ankle surgery. He fractured his right ankle during practice on Dec. 5. Brooklyn (19-50) went 14-36 in that span.
Hollis-Jefferson's minutes will be closely monitored, Brown said.
Hollis-Jefferson is a strong wing defender who averaged 5.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in 19 games (14 starts) before getting hurt. He ranked first among shooting guards in defensive real plus-minus at the time of his injury.
The Nets rank last in defensive rating, surrendering 111 points per 100 possessions, since Brown was named interim coach on Jan. 10.