Dennis Schroder collected 15 points and 12 assists in an effective debut for his new team as the Brooklyn Nets pulled away late in the second half for a 123-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night in New York.
Cam Thomas led six players in double figures, scoring 12 of his 25 in the third quarter, as the Nets stopped a three-game losing streak and won for the eighth time in 29 games.
Nic Claxton added 20 points and 11 rebounds while also sharing the duty of defending San Antonio rookie Victor Wembanyama, who scored 21 points but was held to four rebounds and shot 7 of 16 in 29 minutes.
Mikal Bridges and Dennis Smith Jr. added 14 apiece for the Nets, who shot 56.3 percent from the floor and hit 17 3s. Ben Simmons also guarded Wembanyama at times and contributed 13 points and five assists.
Schroder made his debut after being acquired at Thursday’s trade deadline from the Toronto Raptors and impressed in his initial game for his seventh team. In 27 minutes, the 30-year-old made 6 of 13 shots and highlighted his double-double with an impressive lob on an inbounds play that led to a Claxton dunk right before the end of the third.
Schroder joined James Harden (2021), Deron Williams (2011) and Kelvin Ransey (1983) as the fourth player in franchise history to register a points-assists double in his debut for the team.
Keldon Johnson added 19 points and Devin Vassell contributed 17 for the Spurs, who shot 39.6 percent and suffered their fourth straight double-digit loss in their seven-game skid.
Brooklyn made seven 3s and shot 59.1 percent from the floor but settled for a 33-30 lead after the first quarter, during which it briefly held a 10-point lead. Wembanyama’s jumper over Simmons moved San Antonio within 38-37 with 9:38 left in the second quarter and the Nets outscored the Spurs 22-11 the rest of the quarter for a 60-48 halftime lead.
Wembanyama delighted portions of the crowd when his 3-pointer made it 69-63 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the third but the Nets gradually surged back ahead and held a 93-75 lead heading into the fourth after Claxton’s dunk. Brooklyn finished it off early in the fourth when Claxton’s basket gave the Nets a 28-point lead with 7:39 left.
–Field Level Media