The Brooklyn Nets deserted the primary sport of their NBA Cup marketing campaign in opposition to the New York Knicks in what turned out to be a heartbreaking defeat.
Brooklyn fought again from being down by as many as 21 factors to take a one-point lead with 12 seconds left on a 3 from Dennis Schröder. Moments later, the pendulum swung again the opposite method by way of a backbreaking three from Jalen Brunson and a decisive block from Mikal Bridges that gave the Knicks the victory.
The 124-122 loss, nevertheless, was marked by a really historic efficiency from Cam Thomas. In 39 minutes, the previous LSU guard scored 43 factors on 16-of-22 taking pictures. That is essentially the most factors scored by a Nets participant at Madison Sq. Backyard.in accordance with the crew.
Moreover, Thomas’ seven 3-pointers tied his profession excessive. He additionally had seven triples on opening evening this season. This NBA Cup The sport additionally marked the highest-scoring first half of Thomas’ NBA profession, in accordance with the Nets, with 27 factors, 5 threes and only one miss (10 of 11 from the sphere).
Thomas is used to huge nights out underneath the intense lights of MSG. After Friday evening’s sport, he now owns two of Brooklyn’s three 40-point performances. far at Knicks area. The 23 yr previous beforehand scored 41 factors in opposition to the Knicks on April 12, 2024.
Head coach Jordi Fernández deal with Thomas’ post-game efficiency: “His teammates knew we needed to discover him. I did my finest to assist him, to seek out him. Clearly, they put OG [Anunoby] on him, [who] is an excellent defender and really bodily, and he nonetheless discovered a solution to rating.
Sadly for the Nets, Thomas’ bucket wasn’t sufficient to earn the crew’s first victory within the second annual match of the season. Brooklyn is now third within the Group A East of the NBA Cup0-1 with a distinction of -2 factors.
That is in comparison with the Charlotte Hornets’ differential of -25 (0-1 file) and the Philadelphia 76ers’ -24 (0-2). The Orlando Magic lead the group with a 2-0 file and a +37, adopted by the Knicks with the identical file and a +14.
The Nets have a fast turnaround and return to MSG this weekend within the common season. It is an opportunity for Thomas “to return again and play once more,” as Fernández mentioned, and the Nets guard is already wanting ahead to this sport.
“The great factor is that we’ll play them once more on Sunday to have the ability to redeem ourselves,” Thomas mentioned.
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