Thomas sparks Nets to third straight win in return vs. Timberwolves
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MINNEAPOLIS — Guard Cam Thomas wasted no time making an impact in his first game back from a strained left hamstring, pouring in 30 points in 20 minutes off the bench to lead the Brooklyn Nets past the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
The 24-year-old, sidelined since Nov. 5, hit 9 of 15 shots and converted all nine free-throw attempts while adding four assists, three rebounds and committing no turnovers. His game-high plus-27 helped Brooklyn secure its third consecutive victory and seventh win in its last 10 outings.
“He let the game come to him,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Zero turnovers, made the right play every time. With limited minutes, he was extremely efficient for the team.” Fernandez added that the staff will monitor Thomas’ workload as he ramps up.
Brooklyn opened the season 0-7 with Thomas in the lineup but went 9-12 during his absence. The club’s 96-87 road win over Minnesota — which had gone 10-3 in its previous 13 games — pushed the Nets to a season-best three-game streak and maintained the league’s No. 1 defensive rating for December.
Center Nic Claxton credited the recent surge to the scoring punch from Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. alongside an improved defense. “With those two gifted scorers and the way we’re defending, we’re a tough team to beat every night,” Claxton said.
The Nets’ bench outscored the Timberwolves’ reserves 62-33, getting meaningful minutes from first-round rookies Nolan Traore, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf plus fifth-year center Day’Ron Sharpe.
Fernandez also highlighted 19-year-old lottery pick Egor Demin, noting steady growth since preseason. “He always plays like he belongs,” the coach said, while emphasizing the need for continual improvement from the entire roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
