By Derrel Jazz Johnson
A night after overcoming a 28-point deficit to the crosstown rival New York Knicks, the Brooklyn Nets were unable to stretch their modest win streak to three, as the team fell to the Washington Wizards 117-103 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Patty Mills led the team with 22 points and 3 steals while rookie Cam Thomas came off the bench to score 20.
After the game, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach Steve Nash credited Washington with making big shots. “They made, we missed, it was just a tough night,” he said. “We just couldn’t really get enough going offensively, paint touches and spraying the ball around and getting cleaner looks. We were just really small as well. They worked their butts off, but probably a little fatigue and a little shorthanded.”
Nash said he looked forward to the second half, which should include the return of Kevin Durant and the debut of recently acquired Ben Simmons.
Mills addressed the aspirations the team still has going into the second half of the season despite the many obstacles.
“We all came here to win a championship this year and for us to truly believe that and understand that is where we’re at,” he said. “(It will take) everyone in this organization to buy into what we’re trying to do here to be able to get this thing done this year.”
Patty Mills will compete in the 3-point contest during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. Brooklyn returns to Barclays Center to host the Boston Celtics next Thursday.
