SAN FRANCISCO – Already shorthanded, the Nets lost their hottest hand. But they refused to lose the game.
Despite adding Cam Johnson to their list of walking wounded, Brooklyn stormed back for a 128-120 come-from-behind win at Golden State on Sunday before a sellout crowd of 18,064 at Chase Center.
With Johnson forced out of the game with a sprained right ankle – and Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Ben Simmons and Noah Clowney already sidelined – the Nets trailed by 18 in the third quarter.
But they put together a 27-6 run over the next nine minutes to seize the lead and never gave it up.
Dennis Schröder had 23 of his 31 points in the second half, adding seven assists, five rebounds and much-needed leadership down the stretch.
Jalen Wilson stepped up with a season-high 18 points in Johnson’s absence.
And Ziaire Williams – forced to play center with the Nets’ frontcourt decimated – had 19 points, nine boards and four assists.
Cam Thomas scored 23 but conspicuously never got off the bench in the fourth quarter when Brooklyn (8-10) rallied from behind for their second straight win.
They went 20-of-45 from deep, matching their season-high. But they wasted that shooting effort in a loss to Denver; this one they closed out.
Western Conference-leading Golden State fell to 12-5, and was left impressed.