THE Brooklyn fillets present loads of struggle for a workforce that’s speculated to tank. Led by 21 factors by the New York Knicks on the finish of the third quarter, Friday at Madison Sq. Backyard, Jordi Fernandez’s workforce refused to show round. Brooklyn fought again to take a one-point lead on a Dennis Schroder three with 11 seconds left.
Nevertheless, Jalen Brunson would reply with a triple on the different finish. Former Web Mikal Bridges blocked a Schroder layup try on the buzzer, sealing a 124-122 Knicks victory.
The Nets proceed to carry out higher than anticipated within the first 12 months of rebuilding, and Jordi Fernandez stated Friday’s return was one other step in the suitable course.
“Dropping hurts, and it hurts for all of us. However right here we confirmed our identification, and nobody can take that away from us,” stated the pinnacle coach. “The struggle we had, it’s one thing we have now to understand. Now, after dropping the match, you go into the locker room and nobody is completely satisfied and I am the primary to say that I wish to win each match and we’ll struggle to win.
“However on the identical time, should you see how we work day-after-day, what you do not see, and what we’re making an attempt to construct and the way, that is how I may be happy with my guys at present… At On the finish of the day, constructing that basis and establishing our identification is crucial factor for us. We’ve a plan in place and sustaining success is what we wish to do.
The Nets launched into a brand new path this summer season, sending Bridges throughout the river for 5 first-round picks and a swap of first-round picks. They confronted their former finest participant for the primary time on Friday.
The Nets keep in mind the previous as they appear to the long run
Bridges seemed energetic all through the sport, a stark distinction to the second half of final season. He had 22 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists on 9-of-17 taking pictures within the Knicks’ victory.
“It was good to see them,” he stated after going through his former workforce. “It’s good to compete towards them and trash discuss forwards and backwards, and it was nice to see not solely my teammates however the employees and everybody.”
Associated Brooklyn Nets InformationArticle continues beneath
Bridges and the Knicks have been victorious, however his efficiency will not change anybody’s opinion on whether or not the Nets have been the suitable transfer this summer season. After firing Jacque Vaughn halfway by final season and limping to the end line, Brooklyn selected a stockpile of belongings and a recent begin over continued mediocrity.
Though it is early, the workforce seems to have discovered a goalie in Fernandez. Friday’s efficiency is the newest instance of the muse the Nets have begun to put as they transfer towards a brand new period.
Cam Thomas led Brooklyn towards New York with one other impeccable efficiency in entrance of an MSG crowd. Going through a wing duo of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, the 23-year-old scored a game-high 43 factors on 16-of-22 taking pictures from the sphere and 7-of-10 from three. Thomas hit 5 consecutive threes to open the sport and scored 12 factors within the fourth quarter to maintain Brooklyn alive.
“They have been guarding exhausting, switching, altering defenders on me, blitzing, so I simply needed to determine it out,” he stated after the efficiency. “However I simply actually wished to exit and be aggressive and set the tone from the beginning… So I did job, an honest job, however you all the time need the win on the finish of the day. However the good factor is that we’ll play them once more on Sunday, to have the ability to redeem ourselves. I am unable to look ahead to this.
