The Nets have one final game on the calendar before they hit the NBA All-Star break, and ending on a high note is where Brooklyn’s head is at with the Washington Wizards in town on Thursday (7:30 p.m.). Brooklyn has won back-to-back games entering their final meeting of the year with Washington.
Brooklyn is coming off a historic come from behind win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday and is looking to win three consecutive games for the first time since December. Cam Thomas led the way for the Nets in their latest win with a 21 point effort, which included a 16 point fourth quarter to lead Brooklyn’s comeback.
The Nets have gone through a bit of a post-trade deadline resurgence with wins in two of their last three games and a much different vibe around the organization with the uncertainty surrounding James Harden gone.
[READ: Killa Cam Thomas: Nets rookie’s development shines in win over Knicks]
“On the one hand, it’s not good that we get down by 10 or more. On the other hand, it’s great that we have a chance,” Net coach Steve Nash said. “Like I keep saying we’re trying to build the foundations of a team that can handle the adversity down the road. This has been really important. From the outside, it’s probably been like ‘wow they’re sliding and they’re struggling and they’re on this big losing streak. From the inside, we’ve actually felt pretty positive about it.”
Thursday’s game is actually a makeup date for a game that had to previously be postponed because of COVID-19. The game was originally going to take place on Dec. 21, but was part of a group of games that were rescheduled due to a COVID outbreak in the Nets’ locker room.
The Wizards are coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night and have lost seven of their last 10 games. However, they did manage to defeat the Nets last week in a 113-112 loss at Barclays Center.
Nets Notables
The Nets are 11-1 this season when scoring 120+ points and 13-2 when shooting .500+ FG %. … The Nets outscored the Knicks by 26 in the second half, marking their biggest positive point differential in a second-half since Christmas Day 2020 at Boston (72-41). The Nets have outscored their last two opponents (Sacramento and New York) in the second half, 121-78 (+43). … In two games as a Net, Andre Drummond has averaged 11.0 ppg (.500 FG), 14.0 rpg (4.0 orpg) and 3.0 apg in 23.4 mpg (+27).
Nets Injury Report
- Kevin Durant (left knee MCL sprain) — Out
- Joe Harris (left ankle surgery) — Out
- Kyrie Irving (ineligible to play) — Out
- Ben Simmons (return to competition reconditioning) — Out
Wizards Injury Report
- Rui Hachimura (right ankle sprain) — Questionable
- Bradley Beal (left wrister surgery) — Out
- Kristaps Porzingis (right knee bone bruise) — Out
- Joel Ayayi (G League — Two-way) — Out
How To Watch
YES Network will carry Thursday’s game on TV with Michael Grady, Sarah Kustok and Chris Shearn on the call. Chris Carrino and Tim Capstraw will be on WFAN 101.9 FM / 660 AM calling the action.
