Kevin Ollie drops truth bomb on Cam Thomas' absence after Nets lose to Magic

After a feel-good win over the Memphis Grizzlies that snapped a four-game winless streak, the Brooklyn Nets followed things up by adding another game into the loss column on Tuesday evening as they were downed by the Orlando Magic in blowout fashion.

Struggling in virtually every aspect of the game, Kevin Ollie's squad shot an abysmal 39.2 percent from the field and failed to hit the century mark for the tenth time this season, as they were bested by a final score of 108-81.

Coming into the contest, expectations were that the Nets would struggle to find cohesion on the offensive end of the ball, for not only were they without their go-to table setter Ben Simmons but, also, had top scoring option Cam Thomas ruled out with an ankle injury.

In the end, these expectations proved to be a reality, for only three players ended up scoring in double-figures on the night while Brooklyn as a whole registered more turnovers (20) than assists (18).

Following the contest, coach Ollie was asked if the absence of Thomas proved to be a bigger adjustment than previously believed, as he's generally one of the more trusty scoring threats the club has to offer.

In response, the headman acknowledged that while losing the two-guard was tough, in the end, he expects the remaining available players to pick up some of the slack left behind in his absence.

Unfortunately, against Orlando, the Nets were unable to do that.

Nets coach Kevin Ollie drops truth bomb on Cam Thomas absence

"It's an opportunity for those guys to step up that don't get the opportunity. Of course when you lose one of your top scorers it's definitely an adjustment but it's no time to be making excuses. These guys work hard. They're professionals. When somebody goes down we expect somebody else to step up."

Kevin Ollie

On the season, Thomas has proven to be Brooklyn's second-best scoring option behind centerpiece Mikal Bridges, as he finds himself posting 20.9 points on 36.0 percent shooting from the floor.

Not only was his scoring punch missed in the final score sheet, but his presence may have been missed by the likes of Bridges himself, as the defense was completely draped over him considering he was the unequivocal steady scoring weapon the Nets had.

In the end, the small forward finished with a putrid stat line of 4 points on 14.3 percent shooting while the team fell to 22-36 on the year.