--F Yi Jianlian, who sprained his right knee in the season's fourth game at Charlotte Nov. 2, reports that he could be back playing next week. Yi has been practicing again and is enthused by the presence of the new coaches. He and Vandeweghe have frequently worked one-on-one, while Del Harris coached the 2004 Chinese National Olympic Team.

"He's a pretty good coach with very good experience," Yi said of Harris. "And (Kiki Vandeweghe), he knows us really well, knows all the players."

--C Brook Lopez scored double-figures with 16 points against Dallas Wednesday -- but he only shot 2-of-6. Lopez went 12-of-13 from the line, establishing career bests in free throws made and attempted.

--G/F Chris Douglas-Roberts led the Nets with 24 points Wednesday, which tied him with Brook Lopez for the team lead with seven games as the leading scorer. But Douglas-Roberts was more concerned with lighting a fire under the Nets afterwards, claiming that teams think they can go in against the Nets, "punch them in the mouth and they'll give up."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F Eduardo Najera is out indefinitely with a sore lower back. He has missed eight games.

--F Yi Jianlian has been out since Nov. 2 with a sprained right knee. He said he will return next week.

--F Jarvis Hayes remains out indefinitely since straining his hamstring in the season opener.

--G Keyon Dooling (hip surgery rehab) said he will be available to play Friday. He has been rehabbing since an arthroscopic procedure after last season.

--F/C Tony Battie is working out with the team again. His sore right knee has kept him out since pre-season but he could return next week.

--G Rafer Alston sat Wednesday with a sore left knee.