UPDATE: In a thrilling comeback, Cam Thomas scored 30 points in his return from a left hamstring strain, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a decisive 123-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 16, 2023. This marks Thomas’s first game back after missing 20 games.
The Nets showcased their depth, with Michael Porter Jr. contributing 27 points and 10 rebounds. With this win, Brooklyn improved to 10-19, winning four of their last five games and five of their last seven. Their defensive prowess is evident this month, allowing an NBA-low 103.1 points per game in December.
Despite the loss, Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 28 points. The Timberwolves, now 20-12, faced their third back-to-back defeat of the season, following a narrow 142-138 overtime loss to Denver just days prior.
During the game, Thomas made a significant impact in the third quarter, scoring 12 consecutive points for Brooklyn, including two crucial three-pointers that propelled the team to an 89-82 lead. He played just under 20 minutes in the game, averaging 22.3 points this season on 42.2% shooting.
Brooklyn’s momentum continued as Day’Ron Sharpe scored six of the Nets’ final eight points of the quarter, extending their lead to 98-86. A pull-up jumper by Thomas and four points from Danny Wolf pushed the score to 104-86 early in the fourth.
Porter’s timely three-pointer gave the Nets a commanding 120-102 lead with just 1:57 left on the clock. In December alone, he has averaged an impressive 28.4 points on 51.1% shooting, including 46.7% from beyond the arc, along with 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves dealt with injury concerns as an MRI on guard Terrence Shannon Jr. revealed a left foot strain after he exited Thursday’s game against Denver. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
This victory for the Nets underscores their resilience and potential as they head deeper into the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if they can continue this upward trend.
