The Brooklyn Nets needed a lift on Sunday against the shorthanded Indiana Pacers as they sought their first win of the season. Sophomore point guard Nolan Traore answered the call.
After an ugly first half in which the Nets scored 43 points on 15-of-39 shooting (38.5 percent), Traore sparked the offense. The French Floor general scored a team-high 14 points and drained four threes during the second half, lifting Brooklyn to a 98-90 victory. He finished the game with six assists and one turnover.
“The difference was just us moving the ball well and trying to find the best shot every time, and also being consistent on defense. That's the main thing,” Traore said. “I think [the difference for me] was just like great spacing. I know that they want to double Julius [Randle], so we take advantage of this. And we made shots also. We did a great job. I'm happy and proud of my teammates.”
General Manager Sean Marks has said he is “looking for the next Nets.” Traore is among the team's most promising young prospects, alongside Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. After adding noticeable muscle this offseason, the 20-year-old has impressed over his last four games, averaging 14.3 points on .467/.389/.727 shooting splits, with 4.0 assists and 2.0 turnovers per game.727 shooting splits with 4.0 assists and 2.0 turnovers per game.
Traore has started the Nets' last three outings. Brooklyn was without Egor Demin (right leg contusion) and Mikel Brown Jr. (back injury management) on Sunday.
Nets grind out ugly victory over Pacers on back of Nolan Traore's big second half
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the victory, while Julius Randle added 20 points, five rebounds and six assists. The duo combined for 12-of-31 shooting while turning the ball over eight times. They know that won't be enough in coming games, but they did enough down the stretch Sunday to pick up a much-needed victory.
“It wasn’t a pretty win, but it’s a win regardless. We got that zero out of that column, so we’re really happy about that,” Porter said. “If you’re going to be a good team, eventually you’ve got to learn how to win games like this. Neither team shot the ball well. Neither team cracked 100 points. That’s the type of games we want to win. It was good resilience. Sometimes, we let bad offense dictate our defense, and [Sunday,] we just kept going, grinding it out.”
The Nets shot 30-of-73 (41.1 percent) from the field and 13-of-39 (33.3 percent) from three with 21 assists and 15 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Pacers could not find an offensive rhythm without Tyrese Haliburton, Ivica Zubac, T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin. They finished the game shooting 28-of-70 (40 percent) with 21 assists and 14 turnovers.
With Zubac sidelined, Day'Ron Sharpe delivered his best performance of the season after a slow start. The Nets big man posted 15 points, 13 rebounds and four assists on 5-of-7 shooting in 26 minutes.
“[Day'Ron was] unbelievable,” said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “He was big on the boards. He did a little bit of everything. He made his [only] three. He set screens. I'm very happy for him. We don't win this game without him. And the reality is how much he cares about winning and impacting winning. And this game… I think that [stat] line is impressive. So all his energy and willingness to do the right things paid off.”
Moe Wagner added 14 points and six rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting in 21 minutes off the bench.
The Nets will be back in action on Monday against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.