The Brooklyn Nets desperately needed a big win and got just that on Wednesday night in the desert. In their first games back in Phoenix since being traded from the Suns to the Nets in January, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges combined for 36 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks, spearheading Brooklyn's 116-112 win over Phoenix.
Kevin Durant scored 27 points in his first game against his former team but went just one of five from downtown. Durant heaped considerable praise on Brooklyn for how they defended him on Wednesday.
Kevin Durant credits the Nets for throwing multiple defensive looks at the Suns during last night’s game.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) December 14, 2023
Definitely thought Jacque Vaughn had a a good gameplan to keep the explosive Suns’ offensive in check. https://t.co/PTkGMx5YR8
Cam Thomas was the Nets leading scorer on Wednesday, dropping 24 points on 6-17 shooting with four assists and two rebounds. Thomas, who learned a lot from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, talked about a funny moment he shared with the ex-Net star forward before the game.
Cam Thomas laughed about a pregame head nod he and Kevin Durant shared. Said KD texted him after he injured his ankle and that "meant a lot."
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) December 14, 2023
"The brotherhood's still there." pic.twitter.com/ze7HzA0Ye1
When asked by reporters after the game about his clutch free throws that sealed the game, Thomas said, "they're free-throws, I was gonna make those... That's nothing." The prolific young scorer surely doesn't lack in the confidence department, which Brooklyn's fans and staff undoubtedly appreciate.
Suns fans loved Johnson and Bridges while they were in Phoenix and were sad to see them go. By the looks of it, those two forwards loved their time in Arizona and showed the fans some love after the victory.
Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson taking the time to take pictures with some young Suns fans after the Nets win. pic.twitter.com/GfH4PwcWE0
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) December 14, 2023
When will KD return to Brooklyn?
The Suns will travel to Brooklyn on January 31 for Kevin Durant's trimphant return. When Durant left Oklahoma City to play for Golden State, he received massive boos in his first game back in Oklahoma. That will not happen in the Barclays Center on the final day of January.
Nets fans loved Durant when he lived in the Big Apple and have nothing but appreciation for the way he handled himself along the way, even if he did request a trade out of Brooklyn.