Why Kenny Atkinson thought Caris LeVert was due for a breakout game

On Monday, Caris LeVert had one of his best performances of the season for the Brooklyn Nets. He made life hard for Suns star Devin Booker, who only scored 11 points on 3-for-15 shooting (1-for-4 from deep) — the Phoenix guard was averaging 27.2 points per game on 51.1% shooting entering Monday’s game. LeVert’s effort on the defensive end helped the Nets hold the Phoenix Suns under 100 points in Brooklyn’s 119-97 win.

The Nets wing also had one of his best offensive performances of 2019-20, scoring a season-high 29 points — tying his career-high in the process — on 10-for-20 shooting (2-for-4 from deep, 7-for-7 at the line).

LeVert’s performance comes on the heels of a stretch in which he didn’t score a total of 29 points over the course of four games. It’s his second time 20-point game since he returned from thumb surgery. But the last time he scored 20 was on January 7, his second game back.

LeVert has struggled to find his rhythm fully, since his return. Yet, Kenny Atkinson had a feeling the wing was due for a strong showing, telling reporters why on Monday:

It’s really just my history with him. He’s our first-born, right? We drafted him and we’ve seen him play at an All-Star level for stretches. So I know it’s — we know it’s there when he’s feeling healthy.

Atkinson also admitted his own cautiousness with LeVert may have had an impact on the guard.

[I] maybe should have let him [spread] his wings a little more and make a few more mistakes.

When Atkinson realized he might be holding LeVert back by being too careful, it was then he decided it was time to start the wing — helping lead to his big night on Monday.