The Brooklyn Nets’ 124-122 loss to the New York Knicks on Friday was a thrilling contest, but Cam Thomas’ sensational 43-point performance stole the spotlight. Thomas came out firing, scoring 14 of Brooklyn’s first 16 points, including five three-pointers in the opening quarter. He finished the first frame with 19 points, marking the most points scored by a Nets player in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. By halftime, Thomas had already scored 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting, making 5-of-6 from beyond the arc.
While Thomas was on fire, the Knicks’ balanced offense kept them in the game. Jalen Brunson led with 37 points, and Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby added double-digit scoring. Brooklyn’s offense revolved around Thomas, but he cooled off in the second half. The Knicks gained the lead as the Nets struggled to score, but a clutch Dennis Schröder three gave Brooklyn a one-point edge with 11.5 seconds left. Brunson responded with a game-winning three, and Schröder’s final attempt was blocked.
Despite the loss, Thomas’ individual performance was historic. His 43 points were the most ever scored by a Nets player at Madison Square Garden, and his seven three-pointers matched his career-high. This was also his second 40-point game in the building, with his previous 41-point outing coming in April 2024. Thomas’ ability to shine on such a big stage only added to the growing excitement surrounding his game.
After the game, Thomas shared a memorable moment with NFL legend Tom Brady, who was in the crowd. “That was dope, seeing Tom Brady,” Thomas said, recalling the moment he hit a three-pointer in front of the seven-time Super Bowl champion. “I was a big fan growing up. I don’t usually get like that with people, but that was dope… He gave me a little look when I hit a 3.“
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Can Thomas Shines But Nets Fall Short
Thomas’ hot start was a product of his aggressive mindset. “I really just wanted to come out, be aggressive, and set the tone early,” he said. His shooting helped keep the Nets in the game, but New York’s offensive depth ultimately wore down Brooklyn. While the Knicks shot 63.4% from the field in the first half, the Nets struggled to find consistent scoring beyond Thomas, with Cam Johnson contributing 17 points as the team’s second-leading scorer.
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Nets head coach Jordi Fernández quickly praised Thomas for staying strong under pressure. “His teammates knew that we had to find him. I tried my best to help him, to find him. Obviously, they put OG [Anunoby] on him, who is a very good defender and very physical, and he still found a way to score.”
With the loss, Brooklyn fell to 5-7 on the season and 0-1 in the NBA Cup’s East Group A. But Thomas’ performance continues to highlight his potential as one of the league’s emerging stars. After the game, he was already looking forward to the Nets’ next meeting with the Knicks on Sunday, eager to bounce back and get some redemption. “The good thing about it is we play them again on Sunday, so we can get some redemption,” Thomas said.
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