Thomas, who returned to action after a six-game absence due to an ankle injury, showed his prowess by hitting 9 of 19 shots, including five 3-pointers. His clutch shot at the buzzer gave the Nets a 96-80 lead. heading into the fourth quarter, setting the tone for their dominant finish.
Mikal Bridges also played a crucial role for the Nets, contributing 25 points, including a crucial triple that helped the team take control in the third quarter. Dennis Schröder‘s 17 points featured a desperation 3-pointer, further fueling Brooklyn’s decisive run.
Nicholas Claxton made his presence felt early in the game, tallying 16 points and 10 rebounds while engaging in a physical confrontation with Cleveland’s Georges Niang. Dorian Finney-Smith added 11 points to the Nets’ balanced effort, as they shot an impressive 53.2 percent from the field.
Despite the absence of key players like Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Dean Wade, the Cavaliers put in resilient efforts. Niang led Cleveland with 20 points, while former Net Jarrett Allen contributed 15 points. Darius Garland and Craig Porter Jr. also made significant contributions, but it wasn’t enough to extend the Cavaliers’ five-game winning streak against Brooklyn.
The game saw a back-and-forth first quarter, with the Nets holding a slim 29-28 lead. However, Brooklyn’s strong second quarter helped them build a double-digit advantage, but Cleveland was able to come back and cut the deficit to one point by halftime.
In the crucial third quarter, the Nets regained control with a dominant 29-13 run, powered by Thomas’ hot shooting. His first barrage of three-pointers in the fourth quarter widened the gap further, ultimately securing the Nets’ impressive victory.
(Contributions from Reuters)
