clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Gerald Wallace and Deron Williams injured, still Nets bury the Suns, 99-79

Gerald Williams and Deron Williams both hurt, as Nets still manage to come away with a 99-79 win.

By Tom Lorenzo
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Suns and Nets entered tonight's game on different trajectories, with the Suns having lost their last four games, scoring just over 84 points per game in that span, while the Nets entered the game winners of four straight, averaging a notch over 111 points per game.

The game didn't start off as planned for the Nets, but took advantage of a second-half offensive surge in order to win their fifth straight game, 99-79, marking the third straight game in which they won by 20 or more points, a team record. It also marked the fifth time in P.J. Carlesimo's short tenure that the Nets won by 15 or more.

Joe Johnson was battling the flu and was questionable to play in this one. Word came prior to tip that he would play, and despite the concern that he might be lethargic, Johnson was able to play 35 minutes and score 19 points on 8-of-19 shooting.

With the Suns boasting a 2-16 road record on the season, it seemed like a clear mismatch in favor of the Nets.

Midway through the first quarter, however, the Nets got a serious scare as Gerald Wallace was fouled by P.J. Tucker on a fastbreak dunk attempt, sending Wallace to the floor, landing awkwardly. The call was a Flagrant One -- initially, before it was changed -- while Wallace was helped off the court after spending a few moments on the ground, and taken to the locker room. He would not return. The Nets are calling it "bruised ribs," and said that X-rays were negative.

After Wallace was sent to the locker room, the Nets looked like a somewhat defeated team, struggling to stop the Suns on defense and get any fastbreak looks; a less active team, if you will. They trailed, after one quarter, 25-21.

The second quarter wasn't much prettier, as the Suns out-scored the Nets 28-25 and took a 53-46 lead into halftime. Brook Lopez was ineffective, scoring just five points on 1-of-8 shooting in the half.

Early in the third quarter things seemed to have gotten worse for the Nets, as Deron Williams seemed to have banged knees with Goran Dragic. He spent a bit on the court, limping, before being taken out of the game and heading to the locker room. He did return late in the third, though, as the team called it a "right thigh contusion."

Andray Blatche and MarShon Brooks took over in the third, however, scoring nine and seven points, respectively, in the quarter and helping the Nets carry a 74-66 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth, the Nets remained steady, trying to keep some distance between themselves and the Suns, exploding offensively and taking advantage of the Suns missing layups and getting lost in their offensive sets. And after Joe Johnson hit back-to-back threes with 7 minutes remaining in the game -- giving the Nets an 18-point lead -- it was all over from there.

Williams played 35 minutes, posting 15 points and six assits, while Brook Lopez finished with 13 points and eight rebounds in 35 minutes, but shot just 5-of-16 from the floor.

MarShon Brooks finished with a season-high 17 points.

For more on the Suns, see: Bright Side Of The Sun

In This Stream

Game 36: Phoenix Suns @ Brooklyn Nets

View all 5 stories

More From NetsDaily