Mikal Bridges walked so Cam Thomas could fly.
Thomas, who has further cemented himself as the Nets’ primary bucket-getter since Bridges was dealt to the Knicks ahead of the 2024-25 season, was averaging 22.4 points in 12 career games against the Knicks entering Friday’s Emirates NBA Cup matchup at Madison Square Garden.
It was the first time Brooklyn faced Bridges since he was shipped across the bridge.
And what did Thomas do in his latest visit to The World’s Most Famous Arena? He casually lit up the Knicks in the highest-scoring first half of his career. In the opening quarter of the Nets’ 124-122 loss, the 23-year-old scored 14 of the team’s first 16 points, set a new career-high with five 3-pointers in the period, was up to 19 points by the time the first quarter was through, and he was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field.
“I really just wanted to come out, be aggressive and set the tone early,” Thomas said.
It was the most points scored by a Nets player in a first quarter against the Knicks since stats were first tracked. After one of his 3-point makes in the first quarter, he turned and trolled Bridges with his own 3-point celebration. The young scoring guard would start 8-of-8 from the field and did not miss his first shot until he bricked a straight-away 3-pointer with 4:46 left in the first half. He dropped 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting (5-of-6 from deep) in the first half alone, finished with a season-high 43 and matched a career-high with seven treys.
But the most points scored by a Net all-time at Madison Square Garden was not enough.
“It was dope seeing Tom Brady though,” Thomas said. “He gave me a look when I hit a 3.”
Despite Thomas’ monster first quarter, it was clear early on that the Knicks were a more balanced offensive team. They were up 37-32 after one and led 68-59 at halftime. Thomas was going off, but no other Net scored more than six points in the first half. Meanwhile, Bridges, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby were already in double figures for the Knicks, who shot a blistering 63.4% from the field through the first two quarters.
With Nic Claxton sideline for the next week, Brooklyn had a tough time keeping the Knicks out of the paint. They shot 21-for-26 on two-point attempts in the first half while the Nets shot 43.5% from the field and 37.5% from deep. It did not get much better for Brooklyn as the night continued.
The Knicks threw multiple bodies at Thomas in the third quarter and limited him to just four points. And with the Nets’ only real scoring threat neutralized — even if only for a period — it was enough for the Knicks to outscore them 32-23 and take a commanding 100-82 lead into the final frame.
But these Nets do not quit. They rallied all the way back, and a Dennis Schröder corner 3 gave them a 122-121 with 11.5 seconds left. It was their best comeback effort of the season. However, Brunson answered with a 3 of his own with 6.2 seconds left, and on the Nets’ final possession, Schröder’s layup was blocked at the rim as time expired. And that’s how the Knicks escaped by the skin of their teeth. Schröder took the Nets’ final seven shots of regulation.
“We showed our identity, and no one can take that away from us,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said.
Brunson (37), Anunoby (25) and Bridges (22) combined for 84 points in the Knicks’ sixth victory of the season. Better offensive balance by the home team — and 46 points in the paint — won out in the end. Brooklyn’s second-leading scorer was Cam Johnson, who finished with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Nets fell to 5-7 with the loss and have now dropped consecutive games for the third time this season. They are 0-1 in East Group A. They will face the Knicks again at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
“We have to look at the film, fix our little miscues and get ready for Sunday against these guys,” Thomas said.
Originally Published: November 15, 2024 at 10:39 PM EST
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