NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets welcomed the Cleveland Cavaliers to Barclays Center on Thursday after the 2023-24 trade deadline passed and lost 118-95.
For the Nets, Mikal Bridges had 26 points and five assists while Cam Thomas had 17 points and four rebounds. Trendon Watford had 15 points off the bench and Jalen Wilson had eight points.
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell had 27 points and five rebounds while Evan Mobley had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks. Jarrett Allen had 14 points and Darius Garland had 14 points.
In the first half, Cleveland started this game trying to put Brooklyn away early by using Mitchell to hit almost any shot he could think of in his attempt to end the game early. The Nets fought back in the second quarter and outscored the Cavaliers thanks to the efforts of Bridges.
In the second half, the Cavaliers started the third quarter like they did the first as they tried to put the game out of reach before the Nets had a chance to get themselves settled. It worked as Brooklyn found themselves down 31 points before they knew it and the Nets were unable to claw their way back into the game.
Here are your Nets player grades following Thursday’s loss: