MINNEAPOLIS — Everybody knew Mikal Bridges was good.
No person knew he was this good.
Bridges poured in a game-high 34 factors and shot 4-for-8 from 3-point vary to guide the Nets to a 124-123 time beyond regulation win over the Timberwolves on Friday night time.
And all people from teammates and opponents to executives acknowledged the budding younger wing has exceeded all cheap expectations as he has seized his second.
“Defensively I’d say we knew this was our identification. I don’t assume anyone knew that Mikal was this superb offensively. Simply being utterly actual,” Spencer Dinwiddie mentioned. “It’s our job that he can get to his spots and get his pictures and proceed to stack up these 30s as a lot as he presumably can. We’ve bought to feed that, encourage that after which for me the coaches need me to only get within the paint.”
Bridges has averaged 25.8 factors in 12 video games since he was acquired within the Kevin Durant commerce.
He was considered one of simply two gamers in NBA historical past to common 25 factors on 50/40/90 splits via the primary 10 video games with a brand new group.
The opposite? Kyrie Irving.
Think about Timberwolves coach Chris Finch impressed.
“He’s a heck of a participant,” Finch mentioned. “He’s actually seized this chance. You see this within the league typically when guys get traded they usually’re in a job with a group and that position might have a glass ceiling, however you then get a brand new alternative they usually get the prospect to increase their recreation. And he’s made each second rely.
“He’s one of many gamers 99.99 p.c of the folks — if not 100% of individuals within the league — would like to have: A two-way man, excessive character, he’s about the correct issues, he’s a winner, he’s type of gained at each degree he’s ever been at.”
Royce O’Neale had 12 factors Friday and tied his profession excessive with 15 rebounds.
The Nets performed time beyond regulation for simply the second time this season. They misplaced in OT at house towards the Mavericks of their fifth recreation of the season on Oct. 27.
Nets heart Nic Claxton fouled out, however not earlier than moved again right into a tie with Bucks heart Brook Lopez for the league lead in complete blocked pictures. Each gamers have 161 blocks this season.
Ben Simmons missed his ninth straight recreation.
