Cam Thomas takes over as Nets rout Bucks for first win
Jordi Fernandez got his first win as an NBA head coach. The Nets got their first victory of the season, 115-102, over Milwaukee.
And the sellout crowd of 17,926 at Barclays Center went home happy — including Fernandez’s family, several of whom flew in all the way from Spain to soak in the moment.
“Very excited. My wife’s here, my kids are here, my parents are here, my mother-in-law and her husband are here,” said Fernandez, the first NBA head coach from Spain. Now he’s the first Spaniard to notch a win. “It doesn’t get better than this, the fans, right?
Cam Thomas shoots during the Nets’ win over the Bucks on Oct. 27, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“So, speaking about myself and my family. And then it’s always good to play at home. You know, that extra energy you have that sixth player brings with the fans. It’s pretty cool, and I’m excited to play our first game here.”
It was a first game, a home opener, that broke all sorts of negative streaks for Brooklyn (1-2).
The Nets had dropped their past three home openers, tying the worst such skid in team history (done twice, from 1991-93 and 1987-89).
And the Nets had lost five straight against the Bucks, dating back to their last victory on Dec. 23, 2022. And of course, Nets fans are still traumatized by the crushing seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal loss the year before that.
But on Sunday, these rebuilding Nets led by 22 and broke both skids.
They did it behind Cam Thomas’ game-high 32 points — 25 in the second half — and point guard Dennis Schroder’s 29 points and six assists.
They’re the first teammates in Nets history to score 25 in a home opener, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Giannis Antetokounmpo corrals the ball during the Bucks’ loss to the Nets on Oct. 27, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Not only did the Nets use a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to turn a four-point lead into a 14-point cushion, their feisty defense held superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo somewhat in check.
The former MVP has utterly dominated the Nets in the past, his second-highest career average against any team coming against Brooklyn. He had averaged 29.7 points against the Nets in 2023-24, and 34.0 against them the year prior. Antetokounmpo finished with 22 points, just eight in the first half.
Trailing 17-16 after Damian Lillard (21 points, four assists, four rebounds) hit a free throw with just under four minutes left in the first quarter, the Nets reeled off nine unanswered points to seize the momentum.
Dennis Schroder shoots during the Nets’ win over the Bucks on Oct. 27, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Schroder found springy forward Ziaire Williams for a driving layup to cap the run and give the Nets a 25-17 lead with 1:44 left in the period. They largely held that lead for the rest of the half.
Brooklyn’s ball movement outstripped their shooting, missing open look after open look. But despite hitting just 34.7 percent in the half and getting beaten on the boards, 31-24, their defense kept them in it. They led by three at the break.
Ben Simmons found Dorian Finney-Smith for a 3-pointer to pad the cushion to 61-54 with 8:25 left in the third.
Cam Thomas looks on during the Nets’ win over the Bucks on Oct. 27, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Brooklyn lost the lead on a 12-4 Bucks run, capped by Antetokounmpo’s free throw. But they retook it for an 83-78 edge going into the fourth.
Clinging to an 89-85 lead that was tenuous at best, the Nets sandwiched Schroder free throws and a Thomas 3-pointer around Bucks guard AJ Green’s missed 3-point attempt.
Then Schroder got sent hard to the court by a Flagrant 1 from Pat Connaughton — leaping up and having to be restrained from going after the Milwaukee guard. He hit the ensuing free throw for a 96-85 lead.
Thomas’ and-one pushed it to 99-85 with 7:04 to play. The Nets padded the lead to 22 and held on.
