The Brooklyn Nets entered the playoffs as favorites to win a championship in the first season of the Big Three era, but after dealing with injury problems throughout the playoff run, the Nets crashed out of the postseason on Saturday night with a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Bucks in overtime.
The Nets held an advantage early on in Game 7, and things seemed to be going to plan for Steve Nash’s squad. The Nets came out with a sense of urgency, shooting 53 percent from the field to start. They were also aggressive, shooting nine free throws in just the first quarter and making eight of them. Giannis Antetokounmpo had himself quite the start as well, scoring 15 points in the first half. Although he was causing havoc, it was Kevin Durant (20 PTS, 5 REBS) who was stealing the show in the early stages.
The Nets also held the Bucks to only 33 percent shooting from the field in the first half and they only allowed 18 points in the paint. This was enough to give them a six-point lead at the end of the first two periods as they led 53-47.
In the second half, Milwaukee opened up the quarter on 7-0 run to regain the lead. Brooklyn would go on to respond, but the Bucks would come right back to end the third period up one.
The final twelve minutes of regulation were filled with drama, as Antetokounmpo kept causing problems for the Nets. His efforts along with his team’s limited turnovers led to a two-point lead with less than 10 seconds left in the game. Kevin Durant took the final shot of regulation for Brooklyn and it dropped, sending the game into overtime. It was questioned to have been a three-pointer, but it was ruled a two. The bucket pushed Durant to 48 points on the night.
ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREATS AT WORK. pic.twitter.com/FoaZPuAhNw
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 20, 2021
In overtime, the Nets kicked things off with all the momentum on their side. They had a chance to get a firmer grip on the game; however, they couldn’t capitalize off of it. Khris Middleton hit a clutch shot down the stretch to go up two. Kevin Durant tried to resort to his heroics again, but it didn’t work.
The Milwaukee Bucks held on to win 115-111, and will now face the winner of a Hawks-Sixers Game 7.