Inside The Nets

Nets' 145-147 Overtime Loss to Hawks: Mikal Bridges Shines, But Defense Falters

The Brooklyn Nets had a strong performance but it was not enough to get past the Atlanta Hawks.

Peter Sunjic

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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In a thrilling overtime showdown, the Brooklyn Nets were ultimately defeated by the Atlanta Hawks with a final score of 147-145, featuring a head-to-head battle between Atlanta’s Trae Young, scoring 43 points, and Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges, who contributed 45 points.

The Hawks were red-hot to start the game as they scored 45 points in the first quarter compared to the Nets’ 33. This was a sign of what was to come for the team as they played right into the Atlanta’s hands, who love playing in high-scoring games.

“Offensive rebounding, that was a challenge for us at half-time, we tried to address it, showed some clips that all of us had to come back and rebound the basketball,” Coach Jacque Vaughn said. “The second piece that hurt us throughout the night was the turnovers. We allowed them to have easy looks because we turned the basketball over.”

The Nets had a well-rounded performance

Mikal emerged as the standout performer with an impressive 45 points, and he was complemented by stellar performances from teammates Spencer Dinwiddie and Nic Claxton, both securing double-doubles, while Cameron Johnson contributed with 23 points.

There were some good individual moments but the overall defense let the team down. Young was not the only player who stood out for the Hawks as Deandre Hunter and Dejounte Murray had 20+ point games too. 

Seven of the eight players who played for the Hawks were in double figures, which should be an unacceptable result for any team defending them.

Brooklyn needs a stronger offensive punch

Bridges was amazing in this game but it exposed some of the problems the Nets have been facing in recent weeks. Ben Simmons, Dennis Smith Jr., and Cameron Thomas play crucial roles in Jacque Vaughn’s system, and with their return nearing, it is imperative to alleviate Bridges from the pressure of being the primary player, as he currently faces intense defensive focus from opponents.

Thankfully, the Nets have announced they are all on the road to recovery which gives the Nets more time to shake the cobwebs off and win more games.

The Nets will look to bounce back on Saturday, November 25 against the surging Miami Heat at Barclays Center. 

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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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