Cam Johnson returns, Nets lose in-season tourney game in Beantown

The Brooklyn Nets fell 121-107 to the Boston Celtics on Friday night in Massachusetts, dropping Brooklyn to 1-1 in the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament. The loss will sting for the Nets, but the most important takeaway from last night’s game was the return of young forward Cam Johnson.

Since the Nets first game, Johnson, whom Brooklyn acquired in the Kevin Durant trade last February and extended this offseason, had been out with a calf injury. Johnson was also limited in training camp due to injury.

In his first game back, the young forward struggled, scoring just 11 points on 4-13 shooting. He did add five rebounds but posted a -22, the second-worst on Brooklyn’s roster.

Cam Johnson spoke after the game

Lonnie Walker IV continues to shine

For the second consecutive game, Walker IV was the Nets best offensive player. Walker scored a team-high 20 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes off the bench. With Cam Thomas out, Brooklyn needs more scoring, so we should continue to see Walker’s minutes increase.

Harry Giles III makes his Nets debut

Giles was once one of the country’s most highly-rated high school prospects but has seen his career derailed by severe injuries in college and the pros. Brooklyn signed him to a one-year deal, hoping to unpack his high-level potential. He played six minutes last night, scoring seven points and scooping up a rebound. Nets coach Jacque Vaughn talked about the 25-year-old’s return to the court after the game.

Upcoming Brooklyn Nets schedule

The Nets will play the Washington Wizards at 3:00 pm on Sunday in NYC and continue their in-season tournament journey on Tuesday night in Brooklyn against Orlando.

The Nets will travel to Miami for the second time this season and play the Heat on Thursday, and then next Sunday, they will take on Ben Simmons’ old team, the Philadelphia 76ers, at the Barclays Center.

Brooklyn will hope to get Ben Simmons back this week but will be without Cam Thomas.

2 key takeaways from Cam Thomas’s hot start to the season

Cam Thomas has been scoring at a ridiculously high clip to start this season, but there is undoubtedly still room for #24 to improve