Inside The Nets

A depleted Brooklyn Nets team lost to the Boston Celtics 107-121

The Nets struggled again with a depleted roster against the Celtics.

Peter Sunjic

© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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The Nets competed for the whole night but didn’t come close to beating the Boston Celtics in a 107-121 loss. Brooklyn falls to 4-5 for the 2023/24 season as they continue to deal with significant injuries to starters.

Nic Claxton, Ben Simmons, and leading scorer Cameron Thomas were all sidelined with injuries that kept them out of the game. All three players are vital members of the rotation, which was evident as the starters struggled in this game.

“You’d give a lot of credit to that group (the bench). In the first stint, they got us back into the game,” Coach Jacque Vaughn said in his post-game presser. “Games like this, you get a chance to learn more about your group.”

The bench was productive in this game

While the starters struggled, like Mikal Bridges only scoring 12 points, the bench stepped up for Brooklyn. Lonnie Walker IV was the standout performer again, with 20 points off the bench in just 20 minutes.

The rest of the bench was solid too, with Trendon Watford scoring 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds; Dennis Smith Jr. had 14 points and seven assists. Even Harry Giles III had a good run with seven points scored. It was a fantastic performance from the bench that kept them in the game, but the Celtics overwhelmed them using their starting talent.

Jaylen Brown scored 28 points, while Jayson Tatum added 23. The Celtics had too much depth for the Nets who struggled to create a good rhythm.

Cam Johnson’s return was pleasant news for Brooklyn

After missing the last seven games, Cameron Johnson returned to the Brooklyn Nets squad. This was a much-needed addition because Johnson is a solid shooter who can defend well. The Nets have needed that since he got injured in their season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in his first game back. Johnson would’ve wanted to get the win in his first game back, but it was a disappointing result for Brooklyn. However, the future is bright as the team continues to get healthier.

Simmons and Thomas are set to return in the next few weeks, and Claxton will recover soon too. Now, the Nets will return home to Brooklyn and play the Washington Wizards on Sunday, November 12 at Barclays Center.

Mikal Bridges Acknowledges Cam Thomas as Nets' Premier Scorer

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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