The Brooklyn Nets faced a shortage of starters in their game against Milwaukee, with Claxton, Dinwiddie, and Cam Johnson absent, and Finney-Smith questionable. Mikal Bridges expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to rest key players, stating he was healthy and wanted to play. Bridges, Cam Thomas, and Royce O'Neale were pulled out after the second quarter, leading to Bridges' frustration. Despite this, Nic Claxton performed well, recording his seventh double-double of the season. The controversy surrounding the decision to limit Bridges' playing time has sparked debate and criticism.
Nic Claxton’s available tonight, per the Nets. Was probable due to illness
Mikal Bridges on Nets’ recent play: ‘We’re just not good right now’ Following the Nets’ worst loss of the season on Friday in Washington, the forward did not mince words. @CjHolmes22 https://t.co/HSRbadhCw7
Mikal Bridges has quickly taken accountability when his play has not been up to snuff this season. Following the Nets' worst loss of the season on Friday in Washington, the forward did not mince words, either. @CjHolmes22 https://t.co/HqpXUL4JL1
Jacque Vaughn made his 1st comments since Mikal Bridges voiced his displeasure with being taken out early vs the Bucks. He defended the decision and compared Bridges' usage rate from 2 seasons ago to now as part of his justification #Nets https://t.co/mwVYIlN8Y0
Nic Claxton checked out with 5 rebs in 6 mins. He's had two of his best rebounding games this season vs the Wizards so that's holding to form being assertive.
Nets will bring top scorer Cam Thomas (22.8 points) off the bench. Dorian Finney-Smith will start with Cam Johnson, Nic Claxton, Mikal Bridges and Spencer Dinwiddie. This is their 2nd-most-used 5-man lineup with a 117.1 offensive rating, 110.4 defensive rating and +6.7 net rating
Starting lineup change for the #Nets. Dorian Finney-Smith is starting tonight with Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie and Nic Claxton Cam Thomas will come off the bench.
Nic Claxton (illness) and Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee soreness) are probable tomorrow for the Nets at Wizards. All the usuals are good to go. Simmons/Walker still out as previously reported. The Nets' 2-way folks - with guys now back - are also out (Wilson, Brooks, Johnson)
Nets played Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, and Royce O'Neale one quarter Wednesday then sat them. Bridges didn't like it. Neither did Nets fans. https://t.co/pS61kB6jLv
NBA betting controversy erupts after Nets’ Mikal Bridges barely plays https://t.co/YLcIlVrivh https://t.co/SpilkIkHgl
“The streak is I guess for everyone else to talk about. But I don’t just get in there for the streak. I get in there to play the game and because I want to go out there and win.” Mikal Bridges wasn’t a fan of how his streak was extended: https://t.co/8LaDwdfW0a #nets
From @NYPost_Brazille Nets' Mikal Bridges not happy how games streak was extended https://t.co/BKi032sQMf via @nypostsports
Mikal Bridges didn’t like low playing time against the Bucks #MikalBridges https://t.co/ps7VWxPG3q
Mikal Bridges Didn't Like Low Playing Time Vs Bucks https://t.co/x1zHYt7BwU
Nets’ Mikal Bridges not happy how games streak was extended https://t.co/D62LUfK9D1 https://t.co/1ITU8Ct4jY
Told about Jacque Vaughn's comments that Mikal Bridges played because of the streak, he said: “I guess for their purposes is why. But I’m healthy, so I [don't] see why I wouldn't play.” #nets
Mikal Bridges: “Didn’t like the choice and whatever that was. But it’s whatever. Definitely was not a fan.” Did you need a rest: "No, never do." #nets
Mikal Bridges was not happy about the decision tonight to rest everyone. "Not a fan." #nets
#nets not starting Bridges, O"Neale and Thomas second half after they didn't play in the second quarter. So a .500 team is basically not trying to win a game it may need to reach the playoffs in April.
Nets stick with most of the G Leaguers and non-rotation guys who played in the second quarter. So would appear Bridges and Cam Thomas are done for the night to join the three starters who didn't play.
The Nets starters with a few starters out (night 2 of a back to back) Mikal Bridges. Cam Thomas. Day’Ron Sharpe Dennis Smith Royce O’Neale
Nets starters vs. Milwaukee: Mikal Bridges Royce O’Neale Day’Ron Sharpe Cam Thomas Dennis Smith Jr. First starts of the season for Smith and Sharpe. Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead have also been recalled from Long Island. Tonight will be quite the experiment.
Cam Johnson (right knee sprain) Nic Claxton (left ankle) and Spencer Dinwiddie (rest) join Ben Simmons and Lonnie Walker IV on the Nets’ inactive list entering tonight’s game against Milwaukee. Dorian Finney-Smith (left knee soreness) is questionable.
#Nets down three starters tonight on a back to back. No Claxton, Dinwiddie, Cam Johnson. Finney-Smith questionable. https://t.co/1oGZcqYkdf
From NetsPR Nic Claxton (11 points, 10 boards, three blocks) has recorded his team-high seventh double-double of the season. This is Claxton’s second double-double in his last three games. It’s also his season-best sixth straight game with multiple blocked shots.
Nic Claxton is doing it all on both ends. 😗 (🎥: @NBA) https://t.co/OO3NqgzA7d
Nic Claxton getting it done on both ends 😤 (via @NBA) https://t.co/30ZNFomEn2
Same Nets starting five as usual Bridges, Johnson, Claxton, Thomas and Dinwiddie.