Brooklyn was getting blown out in the first half, but Coach Jacque Vaughn's squad bounced back in the second half. The Nets limited the Boston Celtics to only 36 points in the last 24 minutes, but it was not enough to win.
Jayson Tatum was dominant for the Celtics, scoring 41 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. The Nets tried to circumvent that as Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas scored 27 and 26 points. However, the rest of the Nets had a rough time popping off on offense.
The Nets’ performance led to some positive takeaways, even though they got almost blown out.
Jalen Wilson impressed in the second half
Coach Vaughn was impressed with how Jalen Wilson played against Boston, making him play 23 minutes, including the entire fourth quarter. His energy and defense were crucial to the Nets cutting the lead to six.
The Nets did not win, but it was another impressive game from the rookie, proving himself to be a potential piece in the rotation. He only scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds, but his energy proved to be a difference-maker for the Nets.
Cam Thomas is thriving in the starting lineup
Thomas scored 26 points against Boston and was superb in the second half. The former LSU Tiger should get plaudits for how well he has played offensively, but people should also notice how well he has played on defense. He held his own against players like Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
Apart from his scoring, Thomas continues to evolve as a playmaker, with the Celtics deciding to double-team him at some points. It led to easy passes to his teammates, including a creative alley-oop to Nic Claxton in the paint.
Lonnie Walker IV is a potential long-term piece
Lonnie Walker IV is the Nets’ best player off the bench, which was evident against Boston. He was the only player in double figures apart from Bridges, Thomas, and Claxton, all playing 28+ minutes.
Walker’s 16-point performance kept the Nets afloat in the first half, scoring 13 points off the pine during the first half. This kind of game cements Walker as a vital piece in the Nets’ future, which is interesting since he only signed a one-year deal with the Nets during the summer of 2023.
This matchup will happen again on the second night of a back-to-back. Coach Vaughn will adjust as he looks to prevent Tatum from dominating and maximizing the Nets roster before the All-Star break.
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