Mikal is Brooklyn’s Iron Horse
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Samori Benjamin
The Brooklyn Nets played their final home game of the season Wednesday night, and they sent their fans home with a smile in a 106-102 win over the Toronto Raptors. Brooklyn had six players score in double figures with shooting guard Cam Thomas finishing with a team-high 23 points on a not-so-efficient 7 of 22 from the floor. Nets point guard Dennis Schroder scored 21 points to go along with nine assists, and seven rebounds versus his former team who traded him to Brooklyn in February.
Former Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley was back in New York and dropped 32 points for the Raptors and like Schroder, Quickley also finished with nine assists and seven rebounds. Quickley was traded to Toronto from the Knicks on December 30th along with forward RJ Barrett. Barrett sat the game out.
The Nets finish with a record of 20-21 at home but their 12-27 mark on the road put them way below .500 for the season. At 32-48, Brooklyn will finish a few games out of the 10th and final spot in the Eastern Conference which would have allowed them to play themselves into the Playoffs via the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
“Our fanbase just energizes us,” said Brooklyn Interim Head Coach Kevin Ollie postgame, who became the HC after the Nets fired previous head coach Jacque Vaughn at the All-Star break. “Every time we get a stop, or we get a big play they just come alive, and it makes our players come alive, so the energy we felt from them. It was fan appreciation night. I didn’t think it was going to be that many people. I mean it was standing room only in there, they filled that building up, and you can just feel the spirit, you can just feel them cheering for us each and every play. I’m glad we gave them something to really go home with. Just grateful for their participation in this season. It’s been a lot of changes, lot of ups and downs, lots of injuries, but the one thing that didn’t waver is them supporting us and I just really appreciate that.”
“It’s good, just send them off with some faith, some hope,” Nets Swingman Mikal Bridges said. I know this season hasn’t been the greatest season, just happy that they stuck with us and give them a little win before the season ends.” The Nets will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
The last game of the year had the Nets play on the road against division rival Philadelphia 76ers who were looking to solidify their playoff position. Even without center Joel Embiid, Philly took out Brooklyn 107-86 as guard Tyrese Maxie led with a game high 26 points. Cam Thomas led the Nets with 18 points and Mikal Bridges, who played every game this season finished with 8 points. Since coming into the league, Newton has played in every game totaling 474.
Philadelphia hosted the Miami Heat Wednesday night in the Play-In Tournament. The winner will take on the #2 seed New York Knicks.
The Nets, after making the playoffs last year and getting swept by the same Sixers, finished the year at 32-50, 11th in the Easten Conference. Interim coach Kevin Ollie is not expected to be retained.
Early Monday, ESPN reported the Nets will be looking to hire Sacramento Kings top assistant coach Jordi Fernandez.
Sports Editor Andrew Rosario contributed to this article.
