BROOKLYN Nets, which is on a rebuilding mode in the 2024-25 NBA season, pulled off a massive upset by defeating Milwaukee Bucks, 115-102, on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Cameron Thomas spearheaded the attack with 32 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Dennis Schröder added 29 markers as the Nets improved to a 1-2 win-loss slate.
Cameron Johnson and Noah Clowney each finished with 13 points, while Nicholas Claxton came off the bench to deliver a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets.
Holding to a slim 83-81 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Nets created separation behind conversions from Thomas, Clowney, and Schröder for a 96-85 advantage.
Conversions from Thomas, Ziaire Williams, and Schröder widened Brooklyn’s advantage to its largest at 111-89 before Milwaukee cut the deficit to 13 points at the final buzzer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists, Damian Lillard added 21 markers, while Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez ended with 16 and 15, respectively, as the Bucks dropped to 1-2.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey caught fire offensively as Philadelphia 76ers cruised to a 118-114 overtime victory against Indiana Pacers. Both teams now have a 1-2 win-loss slate.
Maxey finished with a season-high of 45 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with four rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and an assist for the 76ers.
Caleb Martin had a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Eric Gordon and Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 15 and 14, respectively, for the 76ers, which were without stars Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Tyrese Haliburton top-scored for the Pacers with 22 points, Paskal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner added 17, 15, and 14 markers, respectively, in the loss./PN
BOX SCORE:
BROOKLYN 115 — Thomas 32, Schröder 29, Johnson 13, Clowney 13, Claxton 10, Williams 7, Finney-Smith 3, Simmons 2, Wilson 2, Cui 1, Johnson 0, Milton 0, Whitehead 0.
MILWAUKEE 102 — Antetokounmpo 22, Lillard 21, Portis 16, Lopez 15, Trent 9, Green 5, Beauchamp 4, Prince 3, Connaughton 3, Johnson 2, Smith 2, Wright 0, Jackson 0.
Quarterscores: 27-25, 48-45, 83-78, 115-102.
