Cam Thomas nailed a decisive three-pointer in the final minute, propelling the Brooklyn Nets to a nail-biting 107-105 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. The victory snapped a two-game skid for the Nets and extended the Pelicans’ woes to a five-game losing streak.
Balanced Scoring Propels Nets
The Nets didn’t lean on a single superstar tonight; instead, they spread the wealth across the roster. Seven guys scored in double figures, showing that teamwork really does make the dream work. Cameron Johnson and Noah Clowney pitched in 15 points apiece, while Dennis Schroder added a solid 14.
Ben Simmons was out there dishing assists like they were hotcakes, finishing with a game-high 12 dimes. His court vision was on full display, setting up teammates left and right.
Clowney was especially lethal from beyond the arc, sinking five three-pointers—quite the jump considering he had only seven threes all season before this game. The Nets shot an impressive 45.2% from deep, outscoring the Pelicans 57-30 in three-point land. It was a collective effort that proved too much for New Orleans to handle.
Pelicans Falter in Final Minutes
Man, the Pelicans just couldn’t catch a break in the closing moments, missing their last eight shots. Talk about a cold spell.
They had the game in their hands with a 105-101 lead and just over three minutes left on the clock but went absolutely ice cold when it mattered most.
Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 24 points but was virtually invisible in the second half, scoring only two points from the charity stripe. Rookie center Yves Missi was a bright spot, posting career highs with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Still, even his standout performance couldn’t stop the bleeding.
Brandon Boston Jr. seemed to ignite the team with a deep three and a slam dunk after a steal by Missi, giving the Pelicans that 105-101 edge. But then, the wheels just fell off.
It’s becoming a bit of a pattern, and you have to wonder what’s going on in those late-game huddles.
Cam Thomas Takes Center Stage
Cam Thomas was the man of the hour, dropping 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter. His clutch step-back three over Javonte Green with 32.5 seconds left was nothing short of cold-blooded. That shot put the Nets up 106-105, and they never looked back.
“Just felt confident with the ball in my hands,” Thomas said after the game. “Coach trusted me, and I just tried to make a play.”
His late-game heroics highlight his growing importance to the team. The kid’s got ice in his veins, no doubt about it.
The Pelicans had opportunities to respond but just couldn’t get it done. Missing those final shots really came back to bite them.
| Key Moments of the Game | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time Remaining | Action | Score |
| 3:35 | Boston Jr.’s 3-pointer and dunk | Pelicans lead 105-101 |
| 0:32.5 | Thomas’ step-back 3-pointer | Nets lead 106-105 |
Rookie Performances and Returns
Yves Missi was definitely a silver lining for the Pelicans, putting up career highs in both points and rebounds. The rookie center showed he’s got some serious potential:
- 17 points
- 11 rebounds
- 7-of-10 shooting
His efficiency and energy on the court were noticeable.
Over on the Nets’ bench, Noah Clowney stepped up big time with 15 points, including those five treys. Not too shabby for a guy who hadn’t been lighting it up from deep this season. Ben Simmons also played a crucial role, orchestrating the offense with his passing.
Trey Murphy III made his season debut for New Orleans after recovering from a hamstring strain. He chipped in 12 points but struggled to find his rhythm, hitting just 4 of 14 shots and going 2 for 6 from three-point range.
The young guns are starting to make their mark.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Nets will look to keep the momentum going as they host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. It’ll be interesting to see if they can build on this win and start climbing the standings.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, have some soul-searching to do. They’ll head to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Wednesday night, desperately needing to snap this five-game losing streak.
You gotta think the coaching staff is feeling the heat.
