© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
A total team effort helps the Brooklyn Nets get their first win
After a challenging kickoff to the season with two narrow losses, the Brooklyn Nets have now secured their first victory of the 2023/24 season against the Charlotte Hornets. Brooklyn made sure the game wouldn’t be as close as the previous two by putting on a total team effort.
The Nets dominated the game from the start, securing a 133-121 victory. The team started the game by going perfect from the field, making eight shots in a row. They were playing well in transition, led by point guard Ben Simmons, who had a fantastic game with 11 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists.
“I think overall, as a coach, you want some carry-over from the things you’re working on. It doesn’t always produce the wins when you want it to, but overall, we earned this win tonight because we did a lot of things we were working on,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said in his post-game presser. “We executed extremely well, and that started with that first group to jump out with a lead like we had.”
The strong start
The Nets' flawless shooting in the initial minutes set a strong tone, virtually securing the victory. This display showcased Brooklyn's resilience after two earlier losses, as they came out strong against the Hornets.
Their execution of planned plays was impressive, with Simmons displaying his playmaking prowess reminiscent of his peak form.
This set the tone for the rest of the game, as coach Jacque Vaughn was pleased with how the offense worked like a well-oiled machine in this game. They shot 56.3% from the field, a good summary of what happened.
The Hornets saw a few solid performances from various players, but their star point guard, LaMelo Ball, grappled with foul trouble, logging only 22 minutes before fouling out.
All around effort
Cameron Thomas was back at it again with another 30+ point game, scoring 33 this time around. He was not alone with his scoring uptick as Mikal Bridges looked comfortable, scoring 24 points on an efficient 10/13 tally from the field.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Lonnie Walker IV scored 19 apiece to help the two stars on offense. This is a good win for the Nets as they have built confidence ahead of their next game on November 1st against the reigning Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat.
