Tag: Brooklyn Nets

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The Sacramento Kings Aim To Bounce Back From Recent Struggles As They Host The Brooklyn Nets On Monday

Sacramento Kings (NBA)

The Sacramento Kings are thankful that De’Aaron Fox has been playing through a thumb injury and other issues, even though his performance has dipped recently.

After suffering their worst loss under interim coach Doug Christie, the Kings hope Fox will turn things around Monday night when they face the Brooklyn Nets, who are on a 10-game home losing streak.

The Kings are 10-4 under Christie, following a 13-18 record under Mike Brown, but they are still winless on their six-game road trip. Sacramento took their second-largest loss of the season on Saturday, falling 143-120 to the New York Knicks.

Fox scored just 14 points on 6 of 20 shooting in the loss to the Knicks, marking the 10th time this season he’s been held under 20 points, with the Kings going 5-5 in those games.

“I had 60 with my hand taped,” Fox said, referring to his 60-point game against the Timberwolves in November despite playing with an injured pinkie on his shooting hand. “People can make up the excuse they want. Sometimes you just don’t play well.”

Fox, who played despite being listed as questionable with a right thumb sprain, missed three games earlier this month due to a right glute contusion. In his seven games since returning from that injury, Fox is averaging 17.1 points and shooting 35.0 percent (43 of 123).

Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan expressed respect for Fox’s commitment: “I’m pretty sure we all deal with some type of injuries that outside people can’t see. It’s easy just to say, ‘sit down.’ But I respect (Fox), I commend him for even just being out there.”

Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks

Domantas Sabonis, who posted his sixth triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, values Fox’s presence on the court: “We’re fighting for something… just by him being on the court, it helps us immensely.”

Fox scored 31 points in Sacramento’s 108-103 loss to the Nets on November 24, but the Nets had a full roster including Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, and Ben Simmons. However, Thomas is out with a left hamstring injury, Johnson is sidelined for the 10th time in 13 games due to a right ankle injury, and Simmons may miss the game because of back soreness.

Despite these injuries, the Nets are still winless at home since December 3 and lost 106-97 to the Miami Heat on Saturday, marking their 11th loss in 12 games.

Though Brooklyn fought back in the fourth quarter, cutting an 18-point deficit, they couldn’t muster enough offense and were held under 100 points for the 14th time this season and for the eighth straight home game.

“The resiliency and fight, that’s why I’m proud of the guys,” said first-year Nets coach Jordi Fernandez. “We’ll work at it, we’ll watch it, and we’ll be better. I love the fight, the togetherness.”

Brooklyn has been struggling offensively during its home losing streak, with an average defeat margin of 14.9 points and shooting under 40 percent five times, including a 37.5 percent effort against the Heat.

Keon Johnson and D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 22 points each. Johnson has been performing well, shooting 45.7 percent from the floor over the past two games and posting back-to-back 20-point games for the first time in his career.

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Jalen Brunson’s Late-game Explosion Lifts Knicks Past Nets in Brooklyn, 99-95

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton box out for a rebound in the fourth quarter

In the latest chapter of the New York Knicks’ ongoing rivalry with the Brooklyn Nets, Jalen Brunson made sure to shine when it mattered most.

Brunson had a big scoring run late in the game, helping the Knicks secure a 99-95 win at Barclays Center.

Struggling to score in the fourth quarter, Brunson was involved in all but two of the Knicks’ final twelve points that helped them close out the game.

Heading into the fourth, Brunson only had nine points, while Karl-Anthony Towns (who had 25 points and 16 rebounds) was leading the scoring.

The Knicks (29-16) tried to hold on to a nine-point lead after three quarters, but they only scored three points in the first nine minutes of the fourth. An OG Anunoby dunk was the only offense for the Knicks, and Brooklyn managed to cut down their lead.

With just three minutes left and the Knicks down by one, Brunson helped the team regain the lead.

He first assisted Towns and then scored the next six points for the Knicks. Another dunk by Anunoby pushed the lead to five, but D’Angelo Russell hit a three-pointer, bringing Brooklyn within two as the final minute began.

Brunson missed a floater on one end, but Cameron Johnson missed a potential game-winning shot on the other side. Brooklyn had to foul, and Brunson made the free throws to seal the win and send the Knicks back to Manhattan with a win.

Although the Nets (14-30) gave the Knicks a tough game, New York could take comfort in Towns’ strong performance, as he looked closer to his usual form after struggling in his return from a thumb injury.

While he missed all three of his three-point attempts, Towns contributed in other areas, with three steals, two blocks, and a plus-16 rating in 39 minutes.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson in the second quarter

Brunson’s late-game performance overshadowed Mikal Bridges’ return to Brooklyn, as this was the first game between the teams since the trade that sent several future draft picks to Brooklyn.

Bridges scored 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting but was a plus-8 in the box score, second-best on the team behind Towns.

With the win, the Knicks secured back-to-back wins for the first time in the new year and extended their winning streak over the Nets to nine straight games.

This streak, which began in February 2023, is now the longest in the history of the rivalry.

Russell, back in Brooklyn for his second stint, posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists in the loss.

The Nets have now lost their fourth straight game and 12 of their last 14, as they continue to wait for the NBA Draft Lottery.

Brooklyn’s bench saw two players score in double figures (Tyrese Martin and Day’Ron Sharpe), and Nic Claxton grabbed 12 rebounds. The Knicks and Nets will face off one last time this season on April 13.

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Kevin Durant expressed pride in the foundation the Brooklyn Nets were building, despite the team’s rapid downfall due to internal issues

Kevin Durant celebrates with Tyus Jones in the 1st half

Kevin Durant is proud of what he thought the Brooklyn Nets were building before things quickly fell apart due to “dysfunction.”

Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden played only 16 games together, and their time as a trio became more famous for the issues off the court than the basketball they played.

However, when Durant returned to Barclays Center on Wednesday for the second time since his trade to Phoenix, fans rushed to get his autograph before the game against the Phoenix Suns. Durant scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Phoenix’s 108-84 win.

Durant’s Thoughts on the Support and Chaos

“Even though we went through a lot of dysfunction I guess you could call it, for lack of a better term,” Durant said, “but regardless of that, a lot of people in those stands still supported, still came out and cheered loud as hell for the game of basketball and for the Nets, so that’s what stood out the most.”

The Trio’s Struggles with Injuries and COVID

Durant, Irving, and Harden came together in 2019, with Harden joining via trade in January 2021. However, all three struggled with injuries, and Irving missed much of the 2021-22 season after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Durant reflected on the trio’s time together: “I think that was the main thing, that we just didn’t get on the court together,” he said. “A lot of injuries. Injuries to me, James, and Kyrie kind of played a factor, along with COVID. That whole thing just confused a lot of (stuff). But I think basketball-wise, chemistry-wise, camaraderie-wise, teamwork-wise, I thought it was the perfect, ideal situation.”

Kevin Durant takes the ball forward

A Title Contender That Never Was

In the 2020-21 season, the Nets looked like championship favorites when all three were healthy. However, both Harden and Irving were injured in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals, and despite Durant’s strong performance in Game 7, the Milwaukee Bucks came back from a 2-0 deficit to win the series.

The following season, Irving’s absences and Durant’s injury caused the Nets to struggle, and Harden asked to be traded. By the 2023 trade deadline, both Irving and Durant were traded. Durant believes the team’s failure to succeed wasn’t due to bad attitudes, but just bad luck.

“There was a lot of narratives going around about each individual player — me, James, and Kyrie — about our mentality as men,” Durant said. “But once we got on the court and once we actually played together, once you saw the culture that we were building, it was something that the fans could get behind.”

The Special Moments That Fans Didn’t See

Durant added, “That first year when James got here halfway through the season, that was some of the most incredible basketball that I’ve seen, I’ve played in. But more so than anything, the locker room, the bus rides, the plane rides, the hotels, that was the culture we were building and a lot of people didn’t get to see it but I wish they could have. It was special.”

The Nets Now and What Could Have Been

Now, the Nets are in a rebuilding phase. Durant hopes that one day the team can reach the level he thought they were headed for.

“It didn’t culminate into a championship, but people who had season tickets, who get into their car in the cold, come down and watch us play, still remember some moments, some regular-season games, a couple playoff games,” Durant said. “Some moments that people can hold onto and you can feel that love when I come through here.”

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In Los Angeles, the Clippers set a franchise record for their largest margin of victory, defeating the Nets 126-67

James Harden, left, and Nets guard Keon Johnson go after a rebound in the first half.

The Los Angeles Clippers started a challenging stretch of games on Wednesday night, which will test their resilience. This tough schedule comes after the wildfires in Los Angeles caused the postponement of a Clippers game and forced the NBA to reschedule others.

The Clippers’ first game in this nine-day stretch ended in a 126-67 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the Intuit Dome, marking the largest margin of victory in franchise history.

Kawhi Leonard played for 23 minutes and 49 seconds, scoring 23 points, which was a season-high. He made 8 of 11 shots from the field and led the Clippers in scoring. James Harden contributed 21 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds in the win, which saw the Clippers leading by as much as 64 points.

Harden also surpassed Dominique Wilkins on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, moving into 15th place with 26,681 career points.

Harden spoke about not fully grasping the significance of his achievements in the moment. “We’ll figure that out when it’s all done,” he said. “But right now, it’s just I got to keep going. I got to keep getting closer and breaking more records. When it’s all said and done, which I’ll have a lot of time after, I can sit back and realize what I actually accomplished in my life. But for now, I’m in the moment. I just keep going.”

With the NBA announcing its rescheduled games earlier in the day, the Clippers now face five games next week, including two sets of back-to-backs. Despite this busy schedule, the Clippers managed to get a good start, with no starter playing more than 24 minutes. The win improved their record to 22-17 as they head into the next game against Portland on Thursday.

Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets

The Clippers took control of the game by outscoring the Nets 37-14 in the second quarter and then adding a 44-16 run in the third quarter. Coach Tyronn Lue praised the team’s focus in the third quarter, saying, “So, we just had to have a professional mindset coming out in that third quarter and we did that. Our guys were able to get some rest going into tomorrow to a back-to-back.”

Next week’s schedule will be challenging. The Clippers’ game against the Chicago Bulls, originally set for Wednesday, has been moved to Monday, creating a back-to-back situation since they will play the Lakers on Sunday.

They also have a game against the Washington Wizards, which was rescheduled from March 16 to January 23, the day after they host the defending champion Boston Celtics. The Clippers will finish the week with a home game against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 25.

The postponed game against Charlotte, which was set for last Saturday, has been rescheduled for March 16. Similarly, their February 13 game against Utah is now set for March 19. Fans who purchased tickets for these games can use them on the rescheduled dates.

With Leonard playing in just his fourth game of the season, the Clippers plan to be cautious with their star player during this busy stretch. Coach Lue mentioned that the medical staff would create a plan to manage Leonard’s playing time, which includes him sitting out Thursday’s game in Portland.

“We’ve played, I think, pretty much the top-two hardest schedules in the league so far this year. It just adds to it,” Lue said. “So, we just got to take it game by game. Can’t fall victim to the schedule. It’s out of the NBA’s hands what happened to our city and so we understand that. So, we just got to lock in.”

Leonard spoke about how he’s assessing his own performance and his focus on his movements. “Like I said, just seeing how I move, if I’m able to still slide or get to do certain things,” Leonard said.

Clippers wingman Terance Mann, who didn’t play in Monday’s game against Miami, also missed the second half against the Nets due to left calf soreness. He had five points before leaving the game.

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Nets hold off Bucks’ fourth-quarter surge to win in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks

Cameron Johnson scored 26 points and Cam Thomas added 24 as the Brooklyn Nets held on to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 113-110 on Thursday in Milwaukee, despite a strong fourth-quarter rally from the Bucks.

The Nets were leading 111-90 with 6:55 left in the game but missed their next 12 shots. Damian Lillard then scored five straight points, leading a 20-0 run to bring Milwaukee within 111-110 with 37.4 seconds remaining.

After Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a layup with 6.1 seconds left, Ziaire Williams of Brooklyn made two free throws to give the Nets a three-point lead.

Lillard missed a 3-point shot on the Bucks’ next possession, and although Milwaukee had one last chance with 0.6 seconds left, Lillard’s 35-foot shot missed, allowing Brooklyn to escape with the win and end their three-game losing streak.

Nic Claxton recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds for Brooklyn, which won the season series against the Bucks 3-1. Jalen Wilson scored 13 points, and D’Angelo Russell contributed 11 points and 12 assists.

Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 27 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Lillard finished with 23 points and seven assists, Bobby Portis Jr. added 15 points and eight rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 12 points, and Gary Trent Jr. chipped in 10 points.

Giannis Antetokounmpo takes the ball forward in the 2nd half

Thomas was a key contributor off the bench, scoring 12 points in the first quarter to help the Nets lead 30-23 at the end of the period.

Brooklyn kept control in the second quarter, taking a 66-54 lead at halftime. Thomas had 17 points in the first half, while Milwaukee struggled, shooting just 33.3 percent (5 of 15) from beyond the arc.

The Nets extended their lead to 24 points, going up 90-68 with 4:35 left in the third quarter. However, the Bucks closed the period with a 17-4 run to cut the deficit to nine.

Brooklyn regained control by outscoring Milwaukee 17-5 to start the fourth quarter.

The Nets played without Noah Clowney, who was out with a left hip contusion. Bucks guard Andre Jackson Jr. was ejected in the second quarter for a flagrant-two foul after slapping Claxton in the face.

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The Bucks’ Big 3 are ready to take on the struggling Nets in New York

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard

Milwaukee stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Damian Lillard are expected to play together for just the sixth time this season when the Bucks host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

The Bucks improved to 4-1 when the three of them are on the court together, following a 120-112 win over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

Milwaukee will play seven of their next ten games at home, starting with the matchup against the struggling Nets.

Brooklyn has lost three straight games and 11 of their last 14. On Wednesday, the Nets were defeated 130-113 by the Toronto Raptors, who ended their 11-game losing streak with the victory.

Now, Brooklyn faces a tough challenge against Milwaukee and Antetokounmpo, who returned after missing four games and posted 30 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Indiana.

Brook Lopez contributed 16 points, and Bobby Portis Jr. added 14 points and 15 rebounds to help the Bucks overcome a 19-point deficit and break a two-game losing streak.

“I think (Tuesday) was a great testament of how we stuck with our assignments, we stuck with our rhythm, we stuck with the things we’ve been drilling, and then the game finally started turning for us,” Portis said. “It was a great game for us, especially going forward, that we can look back on like, OK, cool, we do it one time, we can do it again and just keep building, keep building.”

Guard Gary Trent Jr. played a key role in securing the team’s final win of the calendar year, hitting two 3-pointers in the last few minutes against the Pacers.

Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks

“It was fun, it was exciting,” Trent said. “Obviously, you always want to help close out the game as much as you can, so whenever you get the opportunity, you want to try to hone in and lock in on it. I’m glad we got the win. Keep building, keep learning, and hopefully we get more reps in and find ways to win.”

Middleton scored 15 points in the win and is averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds over his last six games.

Thursday’s game will be the final matchup between the Nets and Bucks this season. Milwaukee has lost two of the first three meetings, including a 111-105 defeat on Dec. 26, where Cam Johnson led Brooklyn with 29 points. The Bucks played without Antetokounmpo and Lillard in that game.

For Brooklyn, one positive from their loss to Toronto on Wednesday was the performance of guard D’Angelo Russell, who scored 22 points in his first game with the Nets since being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 29.

Russell is returning to Brooklyn, where he played from 2017 to 2019.

“It’s a good feeling, honestly, to go back somewhere you’re comfortable, somewhere you kind of know the ins and outs a little bit,” Russell said. “See some familiar faces. It kind of makes the process a little easier to adjust to. So I’m just grateful for that.”

Nets coach Jordi Fernandez praised Russell’s performance on Wednesday, where he shot 9 of 13 from the field and added eight assists in 26 minutes off the bench.

“I think he was outstanding,” Fernandez said. “His engagement, communication, everything. His court vision, ability to play pick-and-roll, it’s pretty special.”

Fernandez is also keeping an eye on the status of forward Noah Clowney, who suffered a lower back injury during Wednesday’s game and did not return.

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Scottie Barnes powers Raptors to win over Nets, snapping 11-game losing streak

Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets

Scottie Barnes scored 33 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 130-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, ending their 11-game losing streak.

Immanuel Quickley, back after missing 22 games due to an elbow injury, added 21 points and 15 assists for Toronto. Gradey Dick scored 22 points and had three steals, Ja’Kobe Walter added 11 points, Jakob Poeltl contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, and Ochai Agbaji scored 14 points.

D’Angelo Russell, playing his first game since being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers, came off the bench for Brooklyn and scored 22 points. Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 24 points, Nic Claxton had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Keon Johnson scored 17 points, Jalen Wilson added 10 points, and Day’Ron Sharp scored 11 points.

Brooklyn led 33-26 after the first quarter. Toronto took a 45-44 lead when Walter hit a 3-pointer with 6:45 left in the second quarter.

The lead grew to four after Dick made a 3-pointer, but Brooklyn answered with an 8-2 run and led 65-64 at halftime. Both teams shot well, with Toronto hitting 55.1% of their shots (27-for-49) and Brooklyn shooting 50% (23-for-46).

Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks

Toronto came out strong in the third quarter, starting with a 9-3 run. The Raptors’ lead grew to 10 points when Agbaji hit a 3-pointer with 6:25 left in the third. Brooklyn responded with seven straight points.

Noah Clowney of the Nets fell on his back while going for a rebound and had to leave the game with 26 seconds remaining in the third quarter. He did not return.

After three quarters, Toronto led 94-91 and extended their lead in the fourth with a 10-4 run, going up by nine with 8:22 to play. Dick’s 3-pointer pushed the lead to 10, and Agbaji’s 3-pointer made it a 15-point lead with 5:07 left. Quickley’s 3-pointer extended the margin to 119-99 with 4:17 remaining.

Brooklyn’s Maxwell Lewis had to be helped off the court and taken to the locker room after falling late in the game.

RJ Barrett (illness) and Bruce Brown (knee) did not play for Toronto, while Cam Thomas (hamstring) was unavailable for Brooklyn.

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Raptors carry 11-game losing streak into matchup with revamped Nets

Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe during the first half of an NBA basketball game

The Brooklyn Nets will look different when they visit the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night for their second meeting in two weeks.

On Sunday, the Nets traded Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers before their 102-101 loss to the Orlando Magic. In exchange, Brooklyn received D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round draft picks.

Finney-Smith and Milton had strong performances in Brooklyn’s 101-94 win over Toronto on December 19, with Milton scoring 12 points and Finney-Smith adding 8. Since then, the Nets have lost four of their last five games.

Meanwhile, the Raptors’ struggles have continued, as they lost their 11th straight game on Tuesday, falling 125-71 to the Boston Celtics. The 54-point loss was the biggest in Raptors’ history and the second-largest margin of victory in Celtics’ history.

With Finney-Smith gone, the Nets are expected to rely more on 20-year-old Noah Clowney. He played a solid 11 minutes against Toronto in December, recording 11 points and 9 rebounds. Clowney has started four of the past five games for Brooklyn, averaging 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds during that stretch.

“There’s going to be minutes to play,” said Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez. “Someone else has to take on the responsibilities like assists, 3-pointers, and all that. Sunday was an example of that.”

Clowney had 13 points in 28 minutes against Orlando, hitting 3-of-5 from three-point range. However, the Nets lost a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Clowney knows there’s room for improvement. “It’s a lot of things I can improve at,” he said. “Being consistent, staying cool. That’s probably the main thing. But it’s a lot of things I need to work on.”

Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors

Fernandez praised Clowney’s efforts: “He’s playing the perimeter spot one through four. He’s also playing the five. He’s letting it fly. Defensively, he’s finding a way to be physical without fouling. There’s a lot to clean up, but this is a process.”

The Raptors, on the other hand, have had a tough time for the last month. They committed 52 turnovers in the last two games, including 21 against Boston.

Although Toronto held Boston to 45 points in the first half, they only scored 35. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic saw the team’s fight in the first half as a positive step after recent poor performances.

“I thought in the first half we came out and we had a lot of fight,” Rajakovic said. “To me, that was a step in a positive direction.”

But in the second half, Boston shot 74.4% from the field and 77.8% from three-point range, which allowed them to dominate.

The Celtics shot 54% from the floor, compared to the Raptors’ 31.4%, and 51.2% from beyond the arc, while Toronto made only 25%.

Rajakovic wants the team to “turn the page” and be ready for the Nets. “It should be motivation for us to come out and be very competitive,” he said.

The Raptors also played without Gradey Dick (hamstring) and RJ Barrett (illness) on Tuesday.

“There is a lot of adversity, and we’re feeling that adversity, and it’s good,” Rajakovic said. “We’re going to use that adversity to our advantage, to get information that we need to improve, to focus on the most important things and to see the growth. That’s what this whole season is about, and to also learn who can rise to the challenge and who cannot.”

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Spurs recover from slow start to defeat the Nets

San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets

Victor Wembanyama scored 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter, helping the San Antonio Spurs recover from a tough start and secure a 96-87 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday in New York.

Two days after scoring 42 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a 117-114 loss to the New York Knicks, Wembanyama shot 7 of 14 from the field, despite starting 1 of 5. The second-year center also added seven rebounds, six blocks, and four assists.

Julian Champagnie scored 10 of his 18 points in the second quarter, helping the Spurs bounce back after shooting 4-for-25 and scoring just 11 points in the first quarter.

Keldon Johnson finished with 15 points, and Jeremy Sochan added 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Spurs, who shot 41.6 percent and held Brooklyn to their lowest point total of the season.

Brooklyn, which has now lost nine of its last 12 games, was missing Cameron Johnson (hip) and Ben Simmons (rest). Cam Thomas (hamstring) sat out for the 13th straight game.

Victor Wembanyama celebrates after scoring

Keon Johnson scored 15 of his career-high 25 points in the fourth quarter for the Nets. Shake Milton added 16 points and 12 assists, and Tyrese Martin contributed 13 points. The Nets shot 38.9 percent and allowed 20 points off 18 turnovers.

The Nets led 22-11 after the first quarter. The Spurs started the second quarter with a 16-2 run, and the game was tied 41-41 at halftime.

Wembanyama hit two transition 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, giving San Antonio a 56-51 lead with 7:13 left in the third. This was part of a 14-3 run that extended the lead to 64-54 after a Keldon Johnson layup with 4:27 remaining.

Wembanyama sat for the rest of the third, and the Spurs took a 74-62 lead into the final quarter. In the early moments of the fourth, the Spurs began to pull away without a basket from Wembanyama, as Sochan’s consecutive layups and a three-pointer from Champagnie opened up an 87-70 lead with 7:03 remaining.

Wembanyama scored his first points of the fourth quarter with a one-handed dunk for an 89-75 lead at the 5:45 mark. He added two free throws to give the Spurs a 94-82 advantage with 1:59 left.

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Nets pull away in the 4th quarter to edge past Bucks

Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks

Cameron Johnson scored 29 points, Noah Clowney and Shake Milton each added 20, and the Brooklyn Nets came from behind to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 111-105 on Thursday.

Brooklyn outscored Milwaukee 35-23 in the fourth quarter to end a two-game losing streak. The Bucks were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, who both sat out due to non-COVID illnesses.

The Nets took their first lead since the second quarter at 99-97 after Keon Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 3:40 left. After Khris Middleton tied the game for the Bucks, Clowney hit one of his career-high six 3-pointers with 2:33 remaining to put the Nets ahead 102-99.

Brooklyn extended their lead to 109-102 when Johnson converted a four-point play with 47.9 seconds left. Middleton answered with a 3-pointer with 41.3 seconds to go, but Johnson made two free throws to secure the win.

Nic Claxton added 13 points, and Johnson finished with 12 for Brooklyn, who shot 16-of-38 (42.1 percent) from 3-point range.

Middleton led Milwaukee with 21 points, Brook Lopez had 20 points and made four 3-pointers, Bobby Portis scored 18 points, and Gary Trent Jr. added 14 points off the bench.

Damian Lillard takes the ball forward in the game

Brooklyn trailed by six at the start of the fourth quarter but fought back with Milton scoring 14 of the Nets’ first 16 points in the final period to cut the lead to 93-92 with 7:07 remaining.

The Bucks turned the ball over seven times in the first quarter and trailed 27-25 at the end of the period, with Clowney hitting three 3-pointers.

Milwaukee went ahead 44-33 with 6:30 left in the second quarter after back-to-back 3-pointers from Lopez, who scored 18 points in the first half. The Bucks built a 13-point lead with 2:19 left in the second quarter, but the Nets finished the half on a 9-4 run to close the gap to 59-51.

Brooklyn made it a two-point game with five minutes left in the third and trailed 82-76 at the end of the period.

The Nets played without their leading scorer, Cam Thomas (strained left hamstring), as well as Ziaire Williams (sprained left knee) and Dorian Finney-Smith (left calf contusion).

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After experiencing a holiday snub, the Bucks are set to play against the Nets next

Giannis Antetokounmpo bites his winning medal after the victory

After having Christmas Day off for the first time in seven years, the Milwaukee Bucks will play the Brooklyn Nets at home on Thursday.

The Bucks players were surprised that their team was not chosen to play on Christmas. The Bucks were the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference last season and have one of the league’s top players, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“A lot of teams play on Christmas, so it’s not like it’s just two or four teams and we have to figure out who we’re going to pick in these spots,” said Bucks center Brook Lopez. “No, they have a lot of games on Christmas. So, yeah, I do think it’s disrespectful, but I don’t make the schedule. I don’t know how that happened.”

Instead, the Bucks are focusing on the struggling Nets, who have lost eight of their last 10 games.

Milwaukee won for the sixth time in its last seven games on Monday, when Khris Middleton and Lopez scored 21 points each in a 112-91 win over the Chicago Bulls.

The Bucks had a rough start to the season, losing eight of their first 10 games, but have started playing better recently. Their last two wins — against the Washington Wizards and Chicago — came without Antetokounmpo (back spasms, illness) and Damian Lillard (right calf strain, illness).

“It just tells you where we are now and where we were,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “I mean, early in the year, we wouldn’t have won either game. Now we’re not only winning games, we’re winning with a cushion. I thought defensively (Monday) it was maybe one of our best defensive efforts.”

Antetokounmpo and Lillard may not be available for the game against the Nets. With both out on Monday, forward Bobby Portis stepped up and scored 19 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and had six assists.

Doc Rivers shouts at an official in the 1st half

Milwaukee is hoping to get its second straight win over the Nets after a 118-113 victory in Brooklyn on Dec. 8. Antetokounmpo scored 34 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, had four assists, and blocked three shots to help the Bucks come back from a 12-point deficit late in the third quarter.

The Nets, dealing with injuries, have not won much lately. They were outscored 52-38 in the second half of a 110-95 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday.

Cameron Johnson and Noah Clowney both scored 19 points to lead the Nets. Johnson has been playing well, averaging 22.8 points on 48.7% shooting in his last eight games.

“I’m just trying to contribute to the team to win,” said Johnson. “You know, that’s my job. That’s what I want to do. Nobody in here wants to lose everything. It sucks. So I’m just trying to do whatever I can do for it for our team to win.”

The Nets will be without Cam Thomas (strained left hamstring) and Ziaire Williams (sprained left knee) for Thursday’s game, and Dorian Finney-Smith (left calf contusion) is listed as questionable.

With these injuries, Clowney, a second-year forward, has gotten more playing time. He is averaging 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds while playing different positions in his last three games.

“Just his versatility of yes, playing the five at times, but also playing whatever — one-through-four, or two-through-four — that just allows him to be on the court,” said Nets coach Jordi Fernandez. “He’s really helping himself, but most importantly is helping the team.”

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NBA (Basketball)

Cam Johnson Remains on Trade Block While Playing Crucial Role in Net’s Central Defense

Cam Johnson (Photo: NBA)

With much of the Nets’ opening-night roster either injured or traded away, Cam Johnson has taken on an increasingly central role in the team’s offense.

This shift has been evident in the way opposing teams are treating him, as defenders are now starting to blitz him, and teams are actively inquiring about his availability.

Despite his heightened role, Johnson is still on the trade block as the Nets continue their rebuilding phase.

Entering their game against the Heat with an 11-16 record, the team’s focus is on developing the players they have while maximizing the value of those they might trade away.

According to reports, Johnson is projected to have the highest trade value among the Nets’ veterans on the block, which also includes Dennis Schroder (before his trade) and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Reports now indicate that both Sacramento and Oklahoma City are among the teams interested in Johnson.

Currently enjoying a career year, Johnson is averaging 19.1 points per game on 48.8 percent shooting, including 42.2 percent from three-point range.

He’s been tasked with not only using his shooting ability but also developing playmaking skills to create opportunities for his teammates. With Cam Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, sidelined since November 25, Johnson has even become the Nets’ primary offensive option.

However, the team’s reshuffling has placed Johnson in a tougher spot. After Schroder was traded and Finney-Smith was unavailable for a game against Utah, Johnson became the primary target for the opposing defense.

Despite managing 18 points and five assists on 7-for-15 shooting, he struggled, making only 2 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc and committing six turnovers as he tried to navigate unfamiliar passing windows under heavy defensive pressure.

Cam Johnson (Photo: NBA)

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez acknowledged Johnson’s struggles, pointing out that while the intentions were good, the execution wasn’t always there.

“The one thing — obviously good job on them for blitzing CJ — but six turnovers to five assists, it’s not good enough,” Fernandez said. “The intentions were good, he was throwing the pass to the short roll. It was just the execution was not good.”

Johnson’s experience in facing defensive blitzes is relatively new. During his time with Phoenix, he was primarily used as a catch-and-shoot player, positioned on the wings to space the floor for stars like Devin Booker and Chris Paul.

However, under Fernandez’s system, he’s expanded his role, playing more off the dribble and becoming more effective with handoffs. The increased attention from opposing defenses is a new challenge for him, particularly with Schroder gone and Thomas injured.

This season, Johnson’s first experience with constant blitzing came in a December 6 game against Atlanta, where he managed just six points on 3-for-10 shooting with five turnovers. Despite the struggles, both Johnson and the Nets took away valuable lessons from the encounter.

Now, Johnson and the team will have to adjust again. Fernandez emphasized the need for better floor spacing and execution when facing double teams. “If they don’t [know], it’s my fault,” he said. “We should have known how to space the floor versus blitz, especially the middle of the floor.”

While the Nets are focused on rebuilding and securing a high lottery pick, they are also working on developing their players and building a strong team culture. Johnson’s growth this season is a significant part of that process.

Other teams have taken notice of his development. The Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly keeping an eye on his availability.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings are said to have “significant interest” in Johnson, while Finney-Smith is of “lesser” interest to the Kings.

Johnson, who is both a better player and on a more team-friendly contract for the next two years, is expected to fetch a higher return in a trade than Finney-Smith. His development this season is a key part of the Nets’ long-term rebuilding plan.