NEW YORK — The Brooklyn fillets (12-19) had been coming off a powerful win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, however they had been going to have a more durable check towards Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (16-15). To not point out, Brooklyn was getting into Friday’s recreation with out essential members of its rotation and the top end result was just about as anticipated.
THE Nets misplaced to Spurs 96-87 on the second evening of a back-to-back that noticed Cam Johnson and Ben Simmons miss the sport for his or her respective causes. These accidents gave lesser used gamers the chance to shine and Keon Johnson (25 factors, 4 rebounds) and Shake Milton (16 factors, 12 assists) gave their finest with their prolonged minutes.
Nevertheless, the harm depend was piling up and it confirmed within the second and third quarters when the Spurs received the center 24 minutes by a 63-40 margin. That being stated, listed here are three Nets Takeaways from Friday’s loss to Spurs:
Keon Johnson
Johnson has seen his enjoying time improve since Cam Thomas left the lineup, so seeing him play 37 minutes in Friday’s loss to the Spurs wasn’t shocking. Given the variety of accidents to key rotation gamers, Johnson had each alternative to take the photographs he was snug with whereas nonetheless having room for error to attempt new issues as the sport went on.
Johnson struggles as a younger participant who’s thrust right into a rotation function for the primary time in his profession, however he has proven some encouraging elements of his recreation, resembling his means to get into the paint and make strikes. issues from there. Here is what Johnson needed to say about his efficiency:
“I believe simply stepping into the paint, seeing some, lay-ups, after which that first shot made me really feel good. After that, it type of translated into extra late within the recreation simply the arrogance that coach Jordi brings in everybody, simply persevering with to let it go clearly helps, particularly for a man like me, to have the ability to are available and do what I did this. night, nevertheless it’s only a signal of the how the coach prepares us.
Shake Milton
Much like Keon Johnson, Shake Milton was requested to play extra minutes than he most likely anticipated when he arrived to the Nets within the Mikal Bridges commerce to the New York Knicks this offseason. Milton has performed nicely as an alternative off the bench and has already had large performances for a Brooklyn crew on the lookout for as many gamers as attainable given the variety of accidents the crew is coping with.
What Milton did towards the Spurs confirmed his versatility and willingness to do no matter is critical to assist the crew win whereas being one of many calmest gamers on the court docket always. Here is what he needed to say about his exit:
“I felt good. It is not a simple job, doing what the crew asks you to do typically. Like choosing up 94 toes after which dealing with the rock and attempting to place guys in the proper spot. Everyone seems to be selfless, everybody performs their half, so I simply attempt to step in and assist the crew as a lot as I can.”
Nets guard Shake Milton dropped 16 factors and 12 assists final evening towards the Spurs. It was the second-most assists Milton has dished out in a recreation in his profession.
Based on Nets PR, Milton is tied for second for many assists in his first begin as a Internet, behind James Harden’s 14. https://t.co/TZg4xrDPnu
– Sharif Phillips-Keaton (@SharifKeaton) December 28, 2024
Nicholas Claxton
Nic Claxton was the participant with the hardest project Friday towards the Spurs since his major defensive matchup was towards Victor Wembanyama, who simply lit up the Knicks for 42 factors and 18 rebounds on Christmas Day. Whereas Wembanyama did not have that type of recreation towards Claxton and firm, he nonetheless confirmed why he is nonetheless one of many NBA’s rising stars, however the cause he is bringing this up is to level out that Claxton has raised his recreation.
Claxton has loved enjoying towards among the finest facilities within the league and when dealing with gamers like Wembanyama, he tends to play extra aggressively and even tries issues he does not usually do to make an affect. Claxton completed the sport with 11 factors, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks as he did what he may to attain on Wembanyama whereas doing his defensive job as a flexible heart with versatility to defend a number of spots on the land. .
This text was initially printed on Nets Wire: 3 takeaways for the Nets from Friday’s 96-87 loss to the Spurs
