Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, now with the Brooklyn Nets, made a strong impact against their former team, the Phoenix Suns, leading the Nets to a 116-112 victory during Wednesday’s NBA action.
“It feels great,” Johnson said. “This building welcomed me with open arms a long time ago and welcomed me with open arms tonight. It’s pretty cool when you have the opportunity to come back to a place where the people still support you and care about you.”
This game marked a significant moment. It was the first time the Suns’ All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal played together, following the trade that sent Durant to Phoenix and Bridges and Johnson to Brooklyn.
Bridges scored 21 points, and Johnson added 15, demonstrating their impact in a game filled with emotion and nostalgia. Johnson expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received upon his return. The victory was part of the Nets’ impressive run, winning seven of their last nine games, with Cam Thomas scoring a team-high 24 points.
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The Suns, despite trailing by eight at halftime, took a brief lead in the third quarter before the Nets regained control in the final period. Spencer Dinwiddie played a crucial role for Brooklyn, scoring important points in the closing stages, including a decisive 3-pointer and a layup.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn praised the team’s collaborative effort, particularly in the game’s critical moments. The Suns made a late push to close the gap to 114-112, but Thomas’s free throws in the final seconds sealed the win for Brooklyn.
“We did a great job of relying on each other at different parts of the game,” Vaughn said.
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The much-anticipated debut of the Suns’ All-Star trio was a talking point, especially as Bradley Beal has been limited to just five games this season due to a sore back. Booker led the Suns with 34 points and 12 assists, Durant added 27 points, and Beal scored 14. Jusuf Nurkic contributed with 15 points and a season-high 22 rebounds.
Suns coach Frank Vogel and Booker both acknowledged the team’s need to adjust and improve, given it was the first game the trio played together.
“Not good enough to win the game, but we’re going to stay positive,” Vogel said. “It’s the first game with those three out there together. A lot of figuring it out — when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive.”
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Bridges and Johnson, key figures in the Suns’ 2021 Finals run, were warmly received by the fans, reflecting their popularity and contribution to the team’s past success. Since their departure, the Suns haven’t been able to replicate that level of success, exiting in the second round of the playoffs last season.
“It’s one of those moments I’ll remember for a really long time,” Johnson said.
Looking ahead, the Nets will face the Denver Nuggets next, while the Suns host the New York Knicks.
