With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.
For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.
Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:
It didn’t take long for Jason Kidd to prove his worth to the Nets. In his first season in New Jersey (2001-02), the point guard led the team to its first-ever Eastern Conference Finals appearance as a member of the NBA.
But Kidd wasn’t satisfied with just making it to the 2002 East Finals, so he made sure to do his part in Game 1 on May 19. The Nets point guard led the team with 18 points, 13 boards and 11 assists in New Jersey’s 104-97 win (full box score).
Of course, Kidd had some help against Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce, who scored 27 points apiece for Boston. Six other Nets finished in double figures.
Keith Van Horn, Kerry Kittles and Todd MacCulloch each scored 14 points, while Lucious Harris, Richard Jefferson and Aaron Williams pitched in 10 apiece off the bench for New Jersey.