The Brooklyn Nets (24-36) are on their first winning streak since picking up back-to-back dubs on Jan. 27 and 29. Brooklyn defeated the Atlanta Hawks 114-102 at the Barclays Center behind a huge performance by Mikal Bridges on Saturday afternoon.
Final numbers from the W 📊 pic.twitter.com/JM3HisuqDh
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 2, 2024
NBA News & Rumors: Mikal Bridges Huge Performance, Dejounte Murray Gets Hit With Wild Technical, Injury Updates on Jaylin Williams, and Ben Simmons
Bridges tossed in 38 points on 14 of 26 shooting, including 5 of 10 from beyond the arc. It was Bridges’ eighth 30+ game of the season. He added five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.
Bridges has scored 20 or more points in seven of his last eight games against the Hawks, topping the 30-point mark four times during this stretch. He now owns a career average of 21.5 points in 15 career games versus the Hawks. Bridges also has grabbed at least five rebounds in six of his past seven contests versus the Hawks.
Cam Johnson added 23 points for the Nets, who are 3-3 under interim coach Kevin Ollie. Dennis Schroder added 14 points and eight assists, while Nic Claxton picked up his 21st double-double with 12 points and 13 boards.
With the win, Brooklyn pulls within 10 games of Atlanta (26-34) for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks, who remain without Trae Young, have lost seven of 11.
Saddiq Bey led the way for the Hawks with 23 points, while Clint Capela added 10 points and 11 boards. Meanwhile, Dejounte Murray contributed 20 points on 8 of 19 shooting, six rebounds and 11 assists, marking his 10th double-double of the season. Ten of his assists came in the first half, tying a personal best which he has done six times. It was the first time he had done so since March 2021.
Murray earned a g$500,000 bonus for three-pointers made (126), according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, as he was 2 of 8 from deep tonight.
Dejounte Murray has earned a $500K bonus for three-pointers made in a season.
The bonus was deemed likely since the Atlanta guard reached the criteria in 2022-23.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) March 2, 2024
But Murray also picked up a technical late in the game for waiving off referee Tony Brothers who was coming over to talk to him though he probably also said something.
Tony Brothers hit Dejounte Murray with a technical after he ignored him during a timeout 😳pic.twitter.com/CEUTvW4jLe
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 2, 2024
Murray entered the game as the only player in the Eastern Conference to average 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds since the all-star break.
Oklahoma City Thunder Jaylin Williams Injury Status
Oklahoma City Thunder reserve forward Jaylin Williams has been diagnosed with a sprained left knee, according to coach Mark Daigneault. The severity of the injury is currently unknown.
Williams suffered the injury when San Antonio Spurs forward Cedi Osman rolled into his leg falling from a charge drawn by Isaiah Joe onthursday night.
Williams has served as Chet Holmgren’s primary backup at center this season. The 21-year-old only sees 12.6 minutes in 50 appearances. However, he has been playing well lately and turned in his best month of the season in Febuary.
Williams averaged 4.7 points and 3.5 rebounds in nearly 15 minutes over 10 appearances last month. He has scored six or more points in six straight games and grabbed 16 boards over his last four. The 6-9 forward shot 36.8% from the field though 10 of his 14 field goals were from long distance, he connected on 40.0% his attempts from deep.
While Williams status in unknown when the Thunder start a three-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, it would be a huge surprise if he was active. If Williams doesn’t play, Bismack Biyombo and recently signed Mike Muscala will likely fill the backup role. And perhaps if they perform well, take over the role full time.
Biyombo, who played well for Memphis earlier this season, has seen nine minutes of action over two appearances with the Thunder. Meanwhile, Muscala officially joining OKC earlier today after negotating a buyout from the Detroit Pistons.
Shake Milton To Sign With Knicks
Shake Milton will sign with the New Yor York Knicks once he clears waivers, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnorowski.
ESPN Sources: Shake Milton is planning to sign with the New York Knicks upon clearing waivers. Milton agreed to a contract buyout with Detroit and will be eligible for the Knicks’ playoff roster. Guard gives immediate help to an injury-riddled roster. pic.twitter.com/iYDlp32kus
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 2, 2024
Milton hasn’t had a great season while appearing in 42 games for Minnesota (38) and Detroit (4). But he provides much needed depth for the injury-riddled Knicks.
New York (35-25) is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. However, the Knicks have lost two straight and eight of 11.
Milton will immediately become the 10th player off the bench with OG Anunoby, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson remaining sidelined for the foreseeable future. However, Milton still projects to be behind Alec Burks and Miles McBride on the guard depth chart.
Other News
Brooklyn Nets point guard Ben Simmons missed his third straight game on Saturday with a sore left leg. Schroder has started the past five games and will likely remain in starting lineup when Simmons does return. Simmons’ next chance to play is on Monday when the Nets host the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Utah Jazz were without Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler in their afternoon affair against Miami. Clackson was a late addition to the injury report as he was dealing with an illness. It is his first absence since Dec. 11 and 11th missed game overall. Meanwhile, Kessler is sitting out his second straight contest due to right foot sprain.
Simarly, the Heat were without Tyler Herro and Kevin Love. It was Herro’s fourth straight missed game despite being listed as questionable the last two games. Love missed his second straight game due to a bruised heel.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra addressed Herro’s absence prior to the game against the Jazz.
“We’re not saving anybody, we have a lot of work to do…”
In reference to Tyler Herro being out, Erik Spoelstra says it’s not big picture and they aren’t saving anybody for playoffs.
“We’re not saving anybody, we have a lot of work to do…” #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/ltPeucylmJ
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 2, 2024
