Martin takes down the Suns in Phoenix

Tyrese Martin went from G-League journeyman to NBA hero for the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night time in Phoenix. AP photograph by Rick Scuteri

Journeyman guard Tyrese Martin had 33 factors in 20 profession NBA video games earlier than stepping onto the hardwood on the Footprint Middle in Phoenix on Wednesday night time.

All of a sudden, he turned the newest unlikely story to come back out of the Brooklyn Nets’ shocking begin to the season.

Signed to a two-way contract in October after spending all of final season within the G-League, Martin eclipsed Kevin Durant and shocked the Suns with a career-high 30 factors as Brooklyn accomplished a 3-0 West swing whereas burning. Phoenix, 127-117, earlier than a shocked crowd of 17,071.

“Unbelievable. He was simply unimaginable,” Nets coach Jordi Fernández mentioned of Martin, who shot 10 of 13 from the ground, together with 8 of 10 from 3-point vary.

“He performed a really mature sport,” Fernández added. “Very comfortable for him as a result of he does not play many matches.
The chance introduced itself and he took benefit of it.

The 51st total choice within the 2022 NBA Draft by Golden State, Martin was traded to Atlanta and appeared in 16 video games for the Hawks, averaging 1.3 factors per sport whereas logging 4.1 minutes per sport .

He spent all of final season transferring by way of the NBA developmental league after signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nets appreciated what they noticed from the 20-year-old from Allentown, Pa., throughout coaching camp and supplied him a two-way deal, meant primarily to maintain him on Lengthy Island for conditions emergency name.

With its roster decimated by accidents, together with the month-long absence of main scorer Cam Thomas following Monday night time’s win at Golden State, Brooklyn (9-10) has discovered a method to keep related by way of its diligence, its depth and unwavering resilience. from his novice coach.

However nobody may see Martin coming.

Particularly not the Suns (10-8), who have been loaded and prepared for the Nets’ shorthanded slate.

Devin Booker scored 31 factors, Durant added 30 and Bradley Beal completed with 17 for Phoenix. However the Massive Three could not comprise Brooklyn’s secret weapon.

Martin scored 17 factors within the first half to assist the Nets enter intermission deadlocked at 63-63.

He added a basket and two free throws within the third quarter to provide Brooklyn a 96-84 lead heading into the ultimate interval earlier than placing the Suns away with three straight 3-balls, finishing the benefit to 114- 97 with 6:48 left.

Regardless of their current spate of accidents, the Nets accomplished their first three-game successful streak of the marketing campaign and gained their first 5 highway video games within the West for the primary time in franchise historical past.

“The fellows performed with loads of dedication, understanding what kind of staff we have been dealing with,” Fernández mentioned.

After beating Sacramento final Sunday and overtaking Western Convention chief Golden State on Monday with simply seven gamers out there, Brooklyn turned to the unlikeliest hero to defeat the Suns.

“I wasn’t within the league final 12 months. I simply saved working. I’m round nice folks, they’ve given me confidence,” Martin humbly famous.

“It’s the primary time we’ve gotten three in a row.” Now we’re having fun with Thanksgiving and making an attempt to have 4 in a row,” he added.

This turkey will not simply be good for Martin.

After a 31-point efficiency in opposition to the Warriors, level guard Dennis Schröder confronted the problem once more with the Nets taking part in with out Thomas (hamstring), Nic Claxton (again), Jalen Wilson (calf) and Noah Clowney (ankle).

Brooklyn ground chief Dennis Schröder scored 29 factors because the Nets accomplished a 3-0 West win Wednesday in Phoenix. AP photograph by Rick Scuteri

Schröder led the beginning Nets with 29 factors and a game-best plus-19 rating, however even he had none apart from Martin in thoughts after Brooklyn’s fourth win in 5 video games after a 5-game begin -9.

“Since coaching camp, I’ve seen him do loads of issues, defensively, slicing to the rim, capturing 3s,” Schröder recalled. “It’s nice to see him. Shine like this on a vivid stage like this.

Trendon Watford added 18 factors, Cam Johnson had 11 factors and eight rebounds and Ziaire Williams completed with 10 factors for the Nets, who additionally acquired again a wholesome and taking part in type Ben Simmons.

After sitting out in Sacramento and San Francisco to take care of operating again points, Simmons flirted with a triple-double, placing up 14 factors, 9 rebounds and eight assists.

As a substitute of being in rebuild mode, the Nets are all of the sudden constructing a case for a playoff spot almost 1 / 4 of the best way into the season.

They ranked eighth within the Jap Convention playoff race after video games ended Wednesday.

“I feel as soon as once more of unity and conviction. It began in Sacramento and San Francisco,” Schröder mentioned. “You begin to purchase into it if you see it. …It’s essential as a result of it reveals your progress.

“It was a giant step ahead,” Fernández added. “It was our second likelihood to win three video games in a row. The primary time we could not do it. This time we did it.

Brooklyn will attempt to make it 4 in a row Friday night time at Barclays Middle in opposition to the visiting Orlando Magic.

This would be the closing NBA Cup group stage competitors for the Nets, who will host the Magic once more on Sunday afternoon.

Tipoff Friday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Cam Johnson takes on former Nets celebrity Kevin Durant in Brooklyn’s third straight victory on the Footprint Middle. AP photograph by Rick Scuteri

NOTHING BUT NET: Initially considered as a consequence of fatigue points, Thomas left Monday’s win at Golden State with 7:41 left within the third quarter. ESPN reported earlier than Wednesday’s sport that he could possibly be out for a month with a left hamstring pressure. … Claxton hasn’t performed since Sunday in Sacramento as a consequence of lingering again points, however Fernández did not chunk when requested if the high-flying middle can be out there when the Nets return to Brooklyn. “We have now to guage it,” he mentioned. … Clowney’s sprained left ankle might be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks.