The Nets nearly beat the defending champion Boston Celtics and the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers over the weekend, so Monday’s game against the gutted New Orleans Pelicans was supposed to be one of their easier matchups of the season — at least on paper.
No team in the NBA had suffered more injuries than New Orleans this season. They entered as losers of four straight games and were without six of their top seven scorers. However, even without the likes of Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins, Herb Jones and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans — sparked by a monster first half from Brandon Ingram — still pushed Brooklyn for a full 48 minutes.
Brooklyn has been involved in tight finishes all season, and Monday’s 107-105 victory was no different. A Cam Johnson layup cut the Nets’ deficit to two with 1:15 left, then after forcing two misses at the other end, a 26-footer from Cam Thomas put the visitors up 106-105 with 32.9 second left.
Thomas split a pair of free throws moments later to make it a 107-105 game, and the Pelicans had numerous attempts at a game-tying or go-ahead bucket. A tie up led to a jump ball, and the ball was knocked out of bounds with 2.7 seconds left.
The referees originally gave New Orleans possession, but Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez challenged play and the call was reversed. Brooklyn got possession and Dennis Schröder dribbled out the clock, ending the team’s difficult three-game road trip on a high note.
The Nets snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 5-6 in the win. They were swept by the Pelicans in 2023-24.
All five Brooklyn starters reached double figures in scoring for just the third time this season, led by Thomas, who finished with 17 points. Ben Simmons dished out a season-high 12 assists in 22 minutes off the bench. Ten of his dimes came in the first half, as he became the first Net since James Harden in 2022 to record double digit assists in the first half.
Noah Clowney, at 20 years and 120 days, became the youngest player in franchise history to make five 3-pointers in a game. The second-year forward reached double figures for the second time this season, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench.
Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle sprain) did not play against the Pelicans. Ziaire Williams, who forced key misses down the stretch on defense, got his first start of the season in his place.
Ingram finished with a game-high 24 points but was held to two points in the second half. The Pelicans scored 23 points in transition, the most Brooklyn has surrendered this season, and their bench outscored Brooklyn’s reserves 42-36.
The Nets, who shot just 42.9% from the field, committed 17 turnovers, which created 20 points for New Orleans. They have a rematch with Boston at Barclays Center on Wednesday.
