Durant Passes Ewing In Loss
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Brooklyn Nets realized more is needed to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks after a 121-109
loss at the Barclays Center Friday night.
The home court advantage didn’t help the Nets, who played without Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris, as they were defeated by the Bucks for their second meeting of the regular season. The Nets must find a way to reconnect following time apart due to COVID related concerns.
“They really struggled since returning from all the COVID interruptions,” second year Nets Head Coach Steve Nash said after the game about challenges outside of statistics.
The Nets had several scheduled games postponed in mid December when multiple players were out due to COVID related issues.
“We were having a very good year,” Nash said. “We actually played well through the COVID situation. Since we got everyone back, more or less, we just haven’t had the confidence, the spirit, the joy and you can see it.”
loss at the Barclays Center Friday night.
The home court advantage didn’t help the Nets, who played without Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris, as they were defeated by the Bucks for their second meeting of the regular season. The Nets must find a way to reconnect following time apart due to COVID related concerns.
“They really struggled since returning from all the COVID interruptions,” second year Nets Head Coach Steve Nash said after the game about challenges outside of statistics.
The Nets had several scheduled games postponed in mid December when multiple players were out due to COVID related issues.
“We were having a very good year,” Nash said. “We actually played well through the COVID situation. Since we got everyone back, more or less, we just haven’t had the confidence, the spirit, the joy and you can see it.”
Nets had a slow start in the first quarter Friday evening.
“We were down 12 or 13 in the first quarter,” said Kevin Durant. “We cut it to eight going into the second, but they got momentum. Bobby Portis making shots. Nwora hitting shots. Rodney Hood coming in making shots. They all felt confident and comfortable coming into our game on our floor.”
Durant played with more intensity in the second quarter, getting rebounds and making free throws. James Harden stepped up. Cam Thomas also played aggressively and made shots. Durant led Brooklyn with 19 points and eight total rebounds at halftime. He made six of six attempted free throws. Harden had seven total rebounds and Thomas had nine total points. However, Nets trailed 49-60 halftime.
Durant said the team was not on the same page offensively and defensively and they had no answer for the Bucs Greek Freek Giannis Antetokounmpo who finished the night with 31 points. It was the fourth straight game he has scored 30 or more points against the Nets. The most against any other team in the league. Said acting head coach Darwin Ham of Giannis, “he comes with the killer knockout blow.”
The Nets pushed in the third quarter. Patty Mills made steals and Eric Claxton also stepped up, but Brooklyn was behind 98-80 at the end of the third quarter.
Nash played Day’Ron Sharpe, Jevon Carter, Bruce Brown, David Duke, Jr. and Kessler Edwards in the fourth quarter. He said they are experimenting with the lineup due to players being out.
Harris has been out due to ankle surgery and Irving is unable to play in New York due to COVID-19 rules. However, Irving played for the first time this season on Jan. 5. He had 22 points as they defeated the Indiana Pacers 129-121 on the road.
“It felt like an extra life that we had, but we got to live with what we’re dealt with,” Harden said about Irving. “Just because Ky is on the road with us doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy for us as well so we have to mesh and find ways to win games.”
Durant led Nets with 29 total points for the game, followed by Harden with 16 points. Durant passed Patrick Ewing for most points scored in NBA history.
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