NEW YORK — The scoring and passing had been spectacular, although not what received over the followers in Dennis Schroder’s Brooklyn Nets debut.
It was his fiery response to getting hit within the face by Victor Wembanyama that had the group chanting his title.
Schroder had 15 factors and 12 assists, Cam Thomas scored 25 factors and Brooklyn beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-103 on Saturday night time, spoiling Wembanyama’s return to the sector the place he was the No. 1 decide within the NBA draft.
Schroder had probably the most assists by a Nets participant in his debut since James Harden had 14 on Jan. 16, 2021, in opposition to Orlando. The chants got here after he screamed at an official when there was no foul known as when Wembanyama by chance hit him along with his elbow trying a shot, then wrapped up Wembanyama for a foul to cease play so he might protest some extra.
“I am glad we bought the win, I believe that is crucial, however after all the appreciation was there and I like that the followers did it,” Schroder stated. “Massive-time for me.”
Nic Claxton added 20 factors and 11 rebounds for the Nets, who snapped a three-game dropping streak.
Wembanyama scored 21 factors, however the 7-foot-3 Frenchman grabbed simply 4 rebounds after managing just one in a loss at Orlando in his final sport.
It was his first look at Barclays Heart for the reason that Spurs took the him with the highest decide in June. He has gone on to guide first-year gamers in scoring (20.3), rebounds (10.1) and steals (1.2) coming into the sport, and all NBA gamers in blocks (3.1), however he’ll should accept particular person success this season.
The Spurs have dropped seven straight and are 10-43, final within the Western Convention, and the 20-year-old Wembanyama stated coach Gregg Popovich has talked to him concerning the issue of getting by means of a fatiguing a part of the schedule earlier than the All-Star break arrives subsequent weekend.
“He advised me a bit of bit about it and so it is no more difficult than that, it is simply arduous to do,” Wembanyama stated.
The Nets acquired Schroder on Thursday from Toronto for Spencer Dinwiddie, who was waived and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday after clearing waivers and changing into a free agent.
Dinwiddie was the Nets’ start line guard, however Schroder got here off the bench and made a fast affect regardless of restricted preparation time along with his new crew.
“He is received video games and performed in high-level video games, so for him to be out right here on the ground and lead our group tonight, fairly spectacular,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn stated.
Ben Simmons remained within the beginning lineup at level guard and completed with 13 factors on 6-for-7 capturing.
Keldon Johnson scored 19 factors for the Spurs, who fell to 0-3 on a nine-game journey that bridges the All-Star break.
Wembanyama made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to chop Brooklyn’s result in 69-63 with 8 1/2 minutes left within the third quarter, however the Nets rapidly regained management. Thomas made a 3-pointer to start out a 10-2 burst that offered a 14-point lead and he scored 12 factors within the interval earlier than the Nets ended it spectacularly, with Schroder lobbing an inbounds cross with 0.4 seconds remaining from one sideline to the other aspect of the rim for Claxton to slam down on the buzzer and make it 93-75.
The Nets led 33-30 after one quarter after which dominated the second, limiting the Spurs to 18 factors on 30% capturing to take a 60-48 result in the break.
UP NEXT
Spurs: Go to Toronto on Monday.
Nets: Host Boston on Tuesday.
