Mikal Bridges walked so Cam Thomas may fly.
Thomas, who has additional cemented himself because the Nets’ major bucket-getter since Bridges was dealt to the Knicks forward of the 2024-25 season, was averaging 22.4 factors in 12 profession video games towards the Knicks coming into Friday’s Emirates NBA Cup matchup at Madison Sq. Backyard.
It was the primary time Brooklyn confronted Bridges since he was shipped throughout the bridge.
And what did Thomas do in his newest go to to The World’s Most Well-known Enviornment? He casually lit up the Knicks within the highest-scoring first half of his profession. Within the opening quarter of the Nets’ 124-122 loss, the 23-year-old scored 14 of the workforce’s first 16 factors, set a brand new career-high with 5 3-pointers within the interval, was as much as 19 factors by the point the primary quarter was by means of, and he was an ideal 7-for-7 from the sector.
“I really just wanted to come out, be aggressive and set the tone early,” Thomas mentioned.
It was essentially the most factors scored by a Nets participant in a primary quarter towards the Knicks since stats have been first tracked. After certainly one of his 3-point makes within the first quarter, he turned and trolled Bridges along with his personal 3-point celebration. The younger scoring guard would begin 8-of-8 from the sector and didn’t miss his first shot till he bricked a straight-away 3-pointer with 4:46 left within the first half. He dropped 27 factors on 10-of-11 capturing (5-of-6 from deep) within the first half alone, completed with a season-high 43 and matched a career-high with seven treys.
However essentially the most factors scored by a Web all-time at Madison Sq. Backyard was not sufficient.
“It was dope seeing Tom Brady though,” Thomas mentioned. “He gave me a look when I hit a 3.”
Regardless of Thomas’ monster first quarter, it was clear early on that the Knicks have been a extra balanced offensive workforce. They have been up 37-32 after one and led 68-59 at halftime. Thomas was going off, however no different Web scored greater than six factors within the first half. In the meantime, Bridges, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby have been already in double figures for the Knicks, who shot a blistering 63.4% from the sector by means of the primary two quarters.
With Nic Claxton sideline for the subsequent week, Brooklyn had a tricky time preserving the Knicks out of the paint. They shot 21-for-26 on two-point makes an attempt within the first half whereas the Nets shot 43.5% from the sector and 37.5% from deep. It didn’t get a lot better for Brooklyn because the night time continued.
The Knicks threw a number of our bodies at Thomas within the third quarter and restricted him to simply 4 factors. And with the Nets’ solely actual scoring menace neutralized — even when just for a interval — it was sufficient for the Knicks to outscore them 32-23 and take a commanding 100-82 lead into the ultimate body.
However these Nets don’t give up. They rallied all the best way again, and a Dennis Schröder nook 3 gave them a 122-121 with 11.5 seconds left. It was their greatest comeback effort of the season. Nevertheless, Brunson answered with a 3 of his personal with 6.2 seconds left, and on the Nets’ remaining possession, Schröder’s layup was blocked on the rim as time expired. And that’s how the Knicks escaped by the pores and skin of their tooth. Schröder took the Nets’ remaining seven photographs of regulation.
“We showed our identity, and no one can take that away from us,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned.
Brunson (37), Anunoby (25) and Bridges (22) mixed for 84 factors within the Knicks’ sixth victory of the season. Higher offensive stability by the house workforce — and 46 factors within the paint — gained out in the long run. Brooklyn’s second-leading scorer was Cam Johnson, who completed with 17 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists.
The Nets fell to 5-7 with the loss and have now dropped consecutive video games for the third time this season. They’re 0-1 in East Group A. They may face the Knicks once more at Madison Sq. Backyard on Sunday.
“We have to look at the film, fix our little miscues and get ready for Sunday against these guys,” Thomas mentioned.
Initially Revealed: November 15, 2024 at 10:39 PM EST
