The Nets practically pulled off one other wild comeback Sunday however as an alternative dropped to 0-3 with a 118-107 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Financial institution Heart. It was the primary cease on their Texas back-to-back, and one other reminder that effort in spurts received’t be sufficient.
Brooklyn defended and competed early and late, but the identical lapses in focus and consistency stored it from ending the job.
Selecting up the place they left off in Friday’s dwelling loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Nets opened with an impressed defensive effort in San Antonio, forcing 4 turnovers within the first couple of minutes to leap out to a 9-2 lead with 9:31 remaining within the first quarter.
After dropping 33 factors in his final outing, Cam Thomas wasted no time asserting himself. He hit a pair of excessive floaters over Victor Wembanyama early and piled up 11 factors on 5-for-9 taking pictures in his first 10 minutes.
Because the quarter wore on, the Spurs settled in, and the Nets misplaced their edge. Brooklyn’s protection compelled seven turnovers, however chilly taking pictures instructed the story — simply 36.4% from the sphere and 2-for-13 from 3-point vary. San Antonio countered by hitting half its photographs, together with 4 of eight from lengthy vary. Thomas’ early spark was matched by Keldon Johnson, who poured in 11 of his personal to assist the Spurs take a 31-24 lead into the second quarter.
Then Wembanyama took over. After managing simply three free throws within the first quarter, the French phenom dominated each ends, piling up 18 factors, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and 4 blocks by halftime. Thomas scored 21 within the half, however the Spurs closed on an 18-4 burst, drilling all eight of their 3s within the second quarter whereas holding Brooklyn to 29.2% taking pictures for a 69-48 halftime lead.
As Thomas remained within the locker room getting stitched up from a lower he suffered late within the first half, San Antonio stored rolling, stretching its result in 26 with 8:47 left within the third quarter.
Then the Nets discovered their spark. Brooklyn ripped off a 17-1 run to tug inside 9 with 3:10 left within the third, profitable the quarter 33-19, and Jordi Fernández’s crew stored pushing within the fourth. A Noah Clowney 3-pointer made it a one-point recreation with 10:40 to play, and a Jalen Wilson triple moments later gave Brooklyn its first lead for the reason that opening minutes.
Thomas completed with a game-high 40 factors, however even his offensive surge couldn’t pull the Nets all the best way again. He missed two seems from deep to tie it with simply over two minutes left, and Wembanyama pushed the Spurs’ result in 4 with 1:37 to play after making one in all two from the road.
Wembanyama completed with 31 factors, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and 6 blocks, whereas rookie Dylan Harper added 20 factors, six rebounds and eight assists as San Antonio improved to 3-0.
The Nets proceed their Texas swing Monday once they face the Houston Rockets at Toyota Heart.
