On Monday in Houston, Jeremy Lin and his balky left hamstring returned to the court for the first time since Nov. 2.

Considering Lin had five weeks of rust on his game and just a single practice under his belt, the Nets’ point guard was solid.

And that’s because he wasn’t trying to be spectacular.

“After five weeks off, I was really thrilled,’’ said coach Kenny Atkinson, who should see an even better Lin Wednesday against the Lakers. “You expect a guy to be a little rusty, but I didn’t see that at all. He had great energy, played with great poise and I was just happy that he didn’t try to do too much.

“He really got Brook [Lopez] the ball at the right time, running the pick-and-roll at the right time, just that feel. Sometimes when you’re out for a long time and you come back you’re anxious to do too much, especially as ambitious as he is. I was just happy to see he did it within the team concept, and I was really happy with his play.”

Lin’s play was better than even Brooklyn could have expected, partly because it was understated and under control. He had 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds, played solid defense and finished plus-17 in 20:04.

With him off the court, the Nets have been a minus-10.2 (per 100 possessions), but with Lin at the helm they have been a plus-6.1, according to BasketballReference.com.

“Watching the team for five weeks, I’ve narrowed down what I need to do,’’ said Lin, whose minutes will increase gradually. “I just need to get us organized on both ends of the floor, and I need us to be solid defensively and get great shots on the offensive end.

“That sounds so simple, but mixing up play-calls and understanding different lineups, where guys need the ball and making sure that happens at the right time, that’s just part of being a point guard. I’m not trying to be flashy or take over the game. That will come naturally if I’m hot one night, or they’re giving me a certain thing that night. It’ll happen. But I don’t need to go and seek it.”

After seeming a step slow in the first half and unable to beat his man off the dribble, Lin clearly found the game in the second half, when he had eight of his points, five of his assists and got into the lane repeatedly. He was a big reason the Nets shot 65.9 percent and went 23-for-28 in the paint for 46 points.

“I felt fine. In terms of my wind, I felt a lot better than I thought I would. I just struggled with the rhythm, shots, the feel, and making reads, stuff that in a couple games it’ll all come back,’’ Lin said. “First half you practice all these shots, but I got in there and it was like shooting a football. But it’ll come quick.

“I don’t think my speed is all the way there, so that was an adjustment. My burst of speed or getting by guys isn’t completely there yet. So you just adjust and figure it out, like, ‘What do I do next?’ A lot of times that’s getting those passes out quicker, or reading angles. I think that’ll come back soon. I’m not worried.”

Neither are the Nets. They’re encouraged.

“He’s such a great leader and such a great facilitator, and brings great energy to the floor. He has a great motor and that’s contagious, so it definitely [lifts] us up to a new level,’’ said Lopez, who will benefit from Lin, especially in the pick-and-roll.

“That’s just the kind of player he is. He comes with great energy. His aggression makes it a lot harder on opposing defenses. He’s fantastic at getting in the paint and finishing, drawing a foul, attracting defenders and kicking it out. There’s so many different things, so many different weapons he has.”