Inside The Nets

Biggest takeaways from the Nets' blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks

The Nets lost in a massive blowout to the Bucks in a game where they rested most of their starters.

Marin Gabric

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After Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas took the court in the opening quarter, the Brooklyn Nets chose to bench them for the remainder of the game, allowing the Milwaukee Bucks to seize control and secure a 122-144 victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks with a solid stat line of 32 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists. For the Nets, the standout was rookie Jalen Wilson, who had 21 points and ten rebounds. 

Brooklyn's decision to rest key players made this game unusual, yet it offered significant insights and takeaways.

Jalen Wilson is ready for rotation minutes

The night was an opportunity for other players to step up, and the one who made the most out of it was Wilson. The rookie delivered impactful performances coming off the bench, showcasing aggression and effectiveness whenever he possessed the ball.

The 23-year-old led the Nets in free throws as he made all 11 of his attempts from the charity stripe. The former Kansas Jayhawk worked hard on the boards as he grabbed ten rebounds.

"It felt great; I always feel that for a game that I love so much. It's just having a chance to compete, especially against a good team like Milwaukee. Always want to take advantage of the opportunity and go out there and play hard," Wilson said after his breakout game.

Trendon Watford continues to impress

After getting some sporadic minutes earlier in the 2023/24 season, Trendon Watford had another impressive game against the Bucks. He had 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists for Brooklyn as he continues to audition for a regular rotation role.

The former LSU Tiger knows he has to earn the coach's trust whenever he's given minutes. Anticipate him maintaining strong performances each time Coach Jacque Vaughn gives him an opportunity, a trend reminiscent of his initial two years in Portland, where he secured a consistent role.

The Nets' primary players are tired

While Mikal did not appreciate being left out of the game after the first quarter, it was necessary to rest him because of the workload he and his teammates have carried in recent weeks. 

The coaching staff is prioritizing the players' health as the year concludes, particularly with two remaining games on the schedule.

They can put this result behind them and focus on a comeback against the Washington Wizards on December 29. The expectation is to field the full lineup, benefiting from additional rest days compared to the recent back-to-back games against the Pistons and Bucks.

A depleted Nets squad lose 122-144 to the star-studded Bucks

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Marin Gabric
MARIN GABRIC

Marin's love for writing developed in high school but was furthered in college when he took a number of creative writing courses. Doing sports writing felt like an extremely natural continuation, as it furthered his passions in both writing and basketball.  Marin loves the feeling of looking at stats after a game and analyzing what each team could've done better or what they excel in compared to the rest of the league. And the ability to do so for his favorite team, the Brooklyn Nets, is quite special in itself. 

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