NBA Twitter reacts to Nets’ 117-112 loss to the Phoenix Suns
The Brooklyn Nets traveled to the Footprint Center Thursday to take on the Phoenix Suns for the first of two matchups this season and lost 117-112. Phoenix leads the regular season series 1-0.
For the Nets, Kyrie Irving had 30 points and seven assists while Nic Claxton had 20 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Joe Harris and Seth Curry had 16 points each.
For the Suns, Mikal Bridges had 28 points and nine assists while Deandre Ayton had 24 points and 14 rebounds. Cameron Johnson had 19 points off the bench after missing two months with his knee injury and Damion Lee had 16 points.
This game was tight in the first quarter as neither team played much defense, but the game turned into a blowout between the second and third quarters. Phoenix outshot Brooklyn 49-34 as the Suns absolutely crushed the Nets on the glass. Ben Simmons was ejected in the third quarter after being called for an illegal screen and was thrown out after talking to the referee.
Things turned around in the fourth quarter when Irving scored 21 points in the period to bring Brooklyn to single digits. In the end, it was too little too late as the Suns made free throws to seal the game and escape with a victory.
Here’s how NBA Twitter reacted to the Nets’ loss:
Really hard loss.
A few key things to remember:
• They have found a zone defense that works for them
• They found attacking sets they like with this group
• Kyrie Irving found his jumpshot at the end
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) January 20, 2023
The Nets held their ground on the stretch – but they created too big a hole early to come out late.
They have lost four games in a row.
They have three more on the road against Utah, Golden State and Philly.
They are in big trouble.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 20, 2023
Final: The Nets fall to the Suns 117-112. Kyrie Irving left in the fourth quarter, but three straight turnovers cost them their lives. The Suns’ assistant who told Ish Wainright to foul Claxton won them. The Nets remain winless without Kevin Durant and play tomorrow in Utah.
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) January 20, 2023
Almost as if the Nets could have won this one if they hadn’t been sleepwalking for the first three quarters of this game.
— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) January 20, 2023
Final: Suns 117, Nets 112
The Suns end a 3-game losing streak while the Nets lose their 4th straight without Durant. Kyrie Irving leads a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, but the Nets run out of gas in the fourth quarter. Nic Claxton misses 2 key free throws in final possession. Simmons ejected.
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) January 20, 2023
That’s four straight losses without KD. The Nets have three more on the road against Utah (tomorrow), Golden State and Philly.
Thoughts?
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) January 20, 2023