Inside The Nets

The Brooklyn Nets' slow second half leads to a big loss to the Golden State Warriors

The Nets’ continued issues with injuries hampered the team’s chances to beat the Warriors.

Peter Sunjic

© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Brooklyn only played eight players in this game against the visiting Golden State Warriors. This thin rotation led to the Nets crumbling in the second half as Coach Jacque Vaughn’s team lost 98 to 109.

Cameron Thomas was the Nets’ top scorer with 18 points, while Mikal Bridges only scored 13 points despite playing 43 minutes. The former Villanova Wildcat was fatigued in the final few minutes of the game, which happened due to injuries during the game. Nic Claxton also deserves some love for his 15-point and seven-block performance.

“There are always some possessions in the game that you wish you could have back. But you want our guys to play with freedom and to be able to make plays. I’ll always encourage them to try to make those plays, but there’s always something you want to back in the course of the game,” Vaughn said after the game.

The Nets’ offensive struggles rear their ugly head

Brooklyn’s offense has been superb recently because they focused on ball movement and getting open looks. That was not the case for this game, as the offense stalled, especially when Cameron Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV got injured.

Bridges, Thomas, and Spencer Dinwiddie shouldered the offensive load, which Coach Steve Kerr noticed. The Warriors honed in on stopping those three players, leading to the Dubs’ victory.

They had no other shooters like Walker and Johnson to relieve the trio of the pressure defense. Royce O’Neale did his best to keep the Nets within distance, but his three-point barrage in the fourth quarter. However, his 15 points were not enough to overcome the Warriors.

Golden State’s standouts were Stephen Curry, who had 29 points, and Jonathan Kuminga, who had a massive performance with 28 points and 10 rebounds. It was a superb performance from the Warriors as the team bounced back from the heartbreaking loss to Atlanta a few days earlier.

Brooklyn’s injuries continue to plague the team

The Nets already had three players from the regular rotation sitting out this game, and it got worse with Walker and Johnson’s spells on the sidelines. Their injuries do not look like an issue, but they can end the momentum the team built in recent games.

Brooklyn does not have time to rest due to the game against the Dallas Mavericks tonight. It will be a chance to bounce back from this disappointing result, especially since Ben Simmons will likely be active.

Two West teams had failed trade attempts for Mikal Bridges

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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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