During the Saturday night NBA slate, Cam Thomas scored a career-high 44 points off the bench to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a dramatic win over the Washington Wizards 125-123 after rallying from a 23-point deficit.
The Nets also had their largest comeback win this season, sweeping the regular-season series against the Wizards behind Edmond Sumner’s 29 points and Nic Claxton’s 15 points and 13 rebounds. After the first quarter, the Nets were down 44-21, with Patty Mills scoring 13 points and Royce O’Neale scoring 10.
“We responded,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said. “Definitely a shift in our mentality and we got rewarded for it.”
A day after telling the Nets he wanted to be traded, Kyrie Irving was out with right calf soreness – the team attributed the win to Irving’s absence. Additionally, the Nets were without Kevin Durant (right knee MCL sprain), T.J. Warren (left shin contusion), and Ben Simmons (left knee soreness).
Kristaps Porzingis led the Wizards with 38 points before fouling out. Deni Avdija finished with 23 points, Monte Morris added 18 and Corey Kispert had 15 as Washington lost its second in a row.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets & Washington Wizards Updates
As the fourth quarter began, Washington led 99-92, but Mills, Thomas, and Yuta Watanabe scored eight points to pull Brooklyn within 102-100. By making a 14-footer and two free throws, Porzingis extended his team’s advantage to 106-101.
The deficit was cut to 106-105 after Mills and Sumner made baskets, but Porzingis’ three-point play extended it to four. On Brooklyn’s next two possessions, Thomas converted a layup and a two-handed dunk to tie the game. With 5:46 left, Thomas’ 3-pointer gave Brooklyn the lead for the first time in the game after Washington took a 110-109 lead. To tie it again, Porzingis hit two free throws.
Despite the Nets’ 120-119 lead, Morris’ free throws gave the Wizards the lead again. After Daniel Gafford was called for goaltending and Avdija for a foul, Thomas made a jumper, Morris had a pull-up jumper, and Thomas made a layup and then a free throw, giving Brooklyn a 125-123 advantage.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets & Washington Wizards Updates
The Nets got the rebound and ran out of time after Thomas was fouled, giving Washington the chance to tie. Morris missed both foul shots, but the Nets got the rebound and won the game.
“We’re all pros at the end of the day. It’s not like only two people can play,” Thomas said. “A lot of guys contribute and play and help at any time.”
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