Mikal Bridges capped a 32-point performance by hitting the game-winning jumper with 4.5 seconds left as the visiting Brooklyn Nets outlasted the Atlanta Hawks for a 114-113 victory Wednesday night in another close game between the teams.
Two weeks after Atlanta earned a 147-145 overtime win over the Nets, Bridges helped Brooklyn win for the fifth time in six games and capped a 12-for-19 showing by coming through in the final seconds.
In a game with 15 of its 43 lead changes in the fourth, Bridges provided the final margin by answering a 3-pointer from Trae Young with 17.3 seconds left. Bridges moved the ball up the floor, got a screen from Nic Claxton, moved to his left, reached the left elbow and sank an 18-footer over De’Andre Hunter.
After Bridges’ shot, the Hawks called their final timeout, but Young missed a 17-footer from the left side while being defended by Dennis Smith Jr., ending the game.
Bridges, who scored 45 in the last meeting in Atlanta, scored 23 in the second half, including 13 in the third to help the Nets overcome a seven-point deficit and hit four key baskets in the final four-plus minutes.
Cameron Johnson added 17, and Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 15. Spencer Dinwiddie and Smith added 13 apiece as Brooklyn shot 45.7 percent.
Young led the Hawks with 30 points but also missed a wide-open 13-footer with 27.2 seconds left before his 3 put Atlanta up 113-112 with 17.3 seconds left. Saddiq Bey added 21, and Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 20 as the Hawks shot 44.7 percent.
The Hawks held the Nets to 33.3 percent in the opening quarter, which ended with Young’s 3-point play giving them a 33-31 lead with 32 seconds left. Atlanta ended the first half with a 56-53 lead when Hunter’s jumper rattled in right before the buzzer.
The Hawks opened a 69-62 lead on a basket by Young with 7:28 remaining and settled for an 82-81 lead into the fourth when Young hit a floater in the lane with 3.4 seconds left.
–Field Level Media