Nets storm back for win over Raptors that could hurt lottery chances

TORONTO — The Nets emerged victorious in the game.

However, many are concerned that this win may be detrimental to their overall goal.

Brooklyn, now fully committed to tanking, rallied from behind to secure a 101-94 victory over Toronto at Scotiabank Arena.

It’s a victory that may feel good now but could have negative consequences in the future.

The Nets (11-16) were 3 ½ games ahead of Toronto in the standings, putting them the same distance behind in the race for the league’s worst record.

Despite snapping a three-game losing streak, Brooklyn may have compromised their chances of winning the lottery or securing a top-four pick.

Nevertheless, the Nets showed resilience, fighting back with a 25-9 run in the final nine minutes.

Cam Johnson played a significant role in the victory, contributing 33 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

Johnson accounted for 64.5 percent of Brooklyn’s offense in the crucial fourth quarter, scoring 15 points and providing two assists that led to five additional points.

“Yeah, just to compete for 48 minutes,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez emphasized. “Obviously, we’ve gone through a little readjusting with the groups and who we have, and everybody deals with injury, so that’s no excuse with that.

“Like I said, the moves are part of the business. And we’ve just got to keep working and do what we’ve done so far. We just go there to fight. Give yourself a chance. Do it together and we’ll live with the result.”

With point guard and leader Dennis Schroder traded to Golden State, Brooklyn’s offense faced early challenges.

Leading scorer Cam Thomas was sidelined for his eighth consecutive game due to a strained left hamstring and won’t be evaluated until the weekend.

Without Thomas’ offensive firepower, the Nets lacked players who could create opportunities off the dribble.

However, Johnson stepped up, delivering the third-highest scoring performance of his career.

Brooklyn was trailing 81-72 after Kelly Olynyk’s free throw with 9:40 remaining.

But the Nets staged a comeback over the next five minutes.

Johnson’s turnaround shot gave them an 88-86 lead and capped the impressive run.

His short jumper tied the game at 90-all with 2:24 left.

After a defensive stop, Johnson hit a tie-breaking 3-pointer.

His free throws extended the lead to 95-90 with 1:20 remaining, securing the victory for the Nets.

Starting center Nic Claxton was ejected in the first half for throwing the ball into the stands.

It was his third ejection of the season in just his 21st game played.

Brooklyn assistant Juwan Howard intervened quickly to prevent Claxton from throwing another item, possibly a seat cushion, after the ejection.

Despite Claxton’s mistake, Brooklyn handed tanking Toronto their sixth consecutive loss, earning a bittersweet victory.

Reece Beekman made his Nets debut on Thursday night.

The undrafted rookie, acquired in the Schroder trade, entered the game for Dorian Finney-Smith with 3:30 left in the third quarter.

Trendon Watford has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, with an update on his status expected in a week.

Ziaire Williams, recovering from a left knee sprain, has progressed to on-court contact workouts with coaches and is set to rejoin team activities within the next week.