With just eight healthy players available, the Brooklyn Nets needed the assistance of four rookies but the group managed to scrape and claw its way to a narrow overtime win over the Toronto Raptors.
Kevin Durant led the way with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in 48 minutes for his 14th career triple-double while Patty Mills had 30 points in the 131-129 victory, including a 3-pointer late in regulation to send the game to overtime.
The 48 minutes were the most logged by Durant in a single-overtime regular-season game since 2014.
Brooklyn received huge contributions from two-way rookies David Duke Jr. and Kessler Edwards. Duke produced a career-high 10 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two blocks while Edwards had a career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
The double-doubles for Duke and Edwards were the first of their careers.
↔️ @KesslerEdwards coast to coast ↔️ pic.twitter.com/3UabJYssD8
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 15, 2021
Nets head coach Steve Nash said Edwards was outstanding in the win.
He was outstanding, obviously. (He had) 17 and 10 with two steals, two assists and three 3s. He started the game and he didn’t run in for a dunk, he gave up an offensive rebound and we just told him: ‘Be aggressive. Have fun out there. You’re a good player. Show it!’ Then he responded so I’m really proud of him and all of these guys.
The Nets announced prior to the contest that James Harden and Bruce Brown were placed into the health and safety protocols. They joined LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre’ Bembry, Jevon Carter and James Johnson in the protocols, leaving Brooklyn with just eight players.
The 8 players available to play on Tuesday:
- G: David Duke Jr., Patty Mills, Cam Thomas
- F: Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kessler Edwards
- C: Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe
The contest on Tuesday was just the third of the season for both Duke and Edwards. They had played primarily in the NBA G League with the Long Island Nets but were called upon with Brooklyn down six players in health and safety protocols.
Durant credited Edwards and Duke for fueling him down the stretch.
I was gassed for sure there in that fourth (quarter). To see Kess, Patty, Duke and Blake make plays in that fourth reenergized me going into that fourth. I was able to hit a couple of shots there in the overtime and give us a small cushion and then Patty was just an assassin tonight. It was an overall team effort and words can’t describe how proud I am to be a part of this group. It was incredible.
Players entered into the health and safety protocols this season are forced to sit out for a minimum of 10 days. However, they can be cleared to play sooner if they return two consecutive negative PCR tests taken at least 24 hours apart.
With the status of those six players in question, the Nets will need to continue to rely on the likes of Duke, Edwards, Thomas and Sharpe. They each stepped up when their team needed them to and that should be an encouraging development moving forward.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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