USA Today via Reuters
Jul 29, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cameron Thomas (LSU) walks onto the stage after being selected as the number twenty-seven overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 29, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Cameron Thomas (LSU) walks onto the stage after being selected as the number twenty-seven overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets needed overtime to overcome the San Antonio Spurs in the first leg of a back-to-back. The Nets had a 10 point lead with 4 minutes left in regulation, but the Spurs fought back to take it to overtime. Kevin Durant had a chance to win it during this time, but could not hit the 3. In the end, they needed a runner from the rookie Cam Thomas to beat the Spurs 121-119.
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This snapped a 5 game losing streak at home for the Nets. The Nets had lost 4 out of their last 5 games, their first slump of the season. Meanwhile, this marked the sixth loss in seven games for the Spurs.
Durant had a game-high 28 points while Harden had 26 points and 12 assists for the Nets. Lonnie Walker IV had a team-high 25 points and he was supported by Dejounte Murray(19 Points) and Bryn Forbes (18 points).
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Kevin Durant heaps praise on Cam Thomas
Kevin Durant was all praises for Cam Thomas in the post-match conference. The game was tied at 119 until the Nets’ final possession. The Spurs double-teamed KD, who found Cam Thomas, and he subsequently hit a 10-foot floater with 1.7 seconds left on the clock. The Spurs could not get a quality look from the time remaining.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 7, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Paul Millsap (31) and forward Kevin Durant (7) and forward Bruce Brown (1) and guard Cam Thomas (24) and guard Patty Mills (8) wait for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
In the post-match press conference, when asked about his late-game communication with Cam, he said, “Yeah. I mean, for me, I’m not, uh, I get out top, especially late in the games. No matter how I been shooting the ball, I’m starting to, um, you know. I’ve been realized that teams might run and jump me out there and not let me play one-on-one.”
Kevin Durant on Cam Thomas: “He just showcased his brilliance.”#NETSonYES pic.twitter.com/218gfuUPbs
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 9, 2022
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“And we probably could have got the same set at the end of the regulation, but it was good to go through that. So when I seen it again in the overtime, I was able to slow down a bit and find Cam and he just showcases brilliance, you know, um, making a tough runner.”
Cam Thomas got a pat on his head by KD and was mobbed by his teammates after hitting the game-winning shot.
What’s next for the Nets?
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The Nets take on the Blazers next. Kyrie Irving is expected to return to the lineup, after re-joining the team this week. Kevin Durant and James Harden are expected to play. The Nets hope they can correct their recent slump and get back to the top of the East.
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