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BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A star is born in Caris LeVert.
With the game tied at 105 apiece and time winding down, LeVert took it to the hole and finished the basket with one second remaining.
Here was the game-winner:
Clutch Caris! #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/hIT34mkKnS
— NBA (@NBA) October 20, 2018
After the game, LeVert told his coach, “Coach, I owed you one from the Detroit game.”
Tim Hardaway would miss on the ensuing possession and the Nets would go on to win their first game of the year, 107-105, Friday night at Barclays Center. And their first win over their crosstown rival since the 2016-17 season.
“I just wanted to get the shot that I wanted. I wanted to get the last shot,” said LeVert after the game.
LeVert finished with a career-high 28 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. He scored 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, giving the Nets a free night to sleep after falling short in Detroit on Wednesday.
The two teams went back and forth in the final moments. With the Nets up three, Enes Kanter took it strong to the cup and finished on an and-one to tie the game at 105 apiece. Kanter had another strong outing against the Nets with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nets out-rebounded the Knicks by 19 and shot an impressive 40 percent from deep, but committed 22 turnovers to New York’s three. That’s what kept this game close and almost haunted the Nets in the end.
But thanks to LeVert, they won!
Kenny Atkinson was ecstatic after the game said about LeVert: “Heck of a job on both ends of the floor -- he was our leader tonight.”
Atkinson also revealed that LeVert told him: “I owe you one,” after the Detroit game.
Jarrett Allen had another big night with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, while D’Angelo Russell chipped in 15.
And finally, after being swept by the Knicks last year, the Nets took them down in dramatic fashion. Brooklyn fans chanted, “This is our home!” at Knicks fans as they walked out.
The Nets are now 1-1 on the season and 6-1 in home debuts at Barclays Center.
JARRETT ALLEN GETS KEVIN KNOX
Welcome to the NBA, rook. #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/TRyfjoCaNf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 20, 2018
ENES KANTER... BROOKLYN FOE?
New York’s big man typically plays well against the Nets and he’s even better at trolling them off the floor. Although the Twitter “beef” wasn’t serious, Dinwiddie and Kanter went back and forth during the dog days of summer.
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) August 23, 2018
The @nyknicks!? My guy can’t be serious they’re not even the best team in NY. https://t.co/DMvMuvMspx
— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) August 14, 2018
Last January, after Dudley called him a “fake tough guy” following an altercation with Devin Booker, Kanter shot back by suggesting Dudley had a “retirement body” and should go “get on the treadmill.”
At the very least, these encounters give the dull rivalry a little more juice.
CELEBRATING HOME OPENER
This season marks the 43rd season for the Nets and they tried to make it a special opening night for the Brooklyn fans. They’ve taken the initiative by forming “The Block” this season — the section filled with passionate fans who needed to audition for season tickets in section 114. Fans arrived early for a pregame celebration on Barclays Center’s Resorts World Casino NYC Plaza, at 4:30 p.m, where they were accompanied by Nets’ greats, Buck Williams, Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson, and Kerry Kittles.
The Nets, who rarely have halftime shows, headlined Brooklyn’s own hip-hop artist Joey Bada$$ and Max Schneider (MAX) during the intermission.
And, to cap things off, the Empire State building was lit up in Brooklyn’s black and white.
We’re lighting in white and black tonight in honor of the @BrooklynNets’ home opener against crosstown rivals the @NYKnicks! #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/iBt4pnAlMY
— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) October 19, 2018
NEW BACKDROP... AND WALL ART
In Brooklyn’s locker room...
The Nets have this in the hallway leading to their locker room @blakegriffin23 pic.twitter.com/3QDUxAaJHg
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) October 19, 2018
Outside the visitor’s locker room...
New backdrop by visiting team’s locker room. Features HSS rooftop, locker room and view from the court. #Nets pic.twitter.com/ffNmAzXXOk
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) October 19, 2018
***
All that and a win. Couldn’t have asked for any better for the Nets.
For another perspective, head on over to our sister site, Posting and Toasting.
The Nets will face off against the Indiana Pacers tomorrow at 7:00 PM.
- Game Report: Brooklyn Nets 107, New York Knicks 105 (Box score) - NBA.com
- Game Recap: Brooklyn Nets 107, New York Knicks 105 (Video) - NBA.com
- Russell on first win of season (Video) - Michael Grady - YES Network
- Atkinson on LeVert, Nets’ win (Video) - YES Network
- Atkinson on rivalry, injuries (Video) - YES Network
- Jarrett Allen on beating Knicks (Video) - YES Network
- Dudley on Nets’ 107-105 victory (Video) - YES Network
- Wear Brooklyn At? (Video) - YES Network
- LeVert’s basket gives Nets 107-105 win over Knicks - Brian Mahoney - AP
- Caris LeVert can thrive as a point forward for the Nets this season - Bryan Kalbrosky - Hoopshype
- What Will It Take for the Knicks and Nets to Have a Real Rivalry? - Kelly Whiteside - New York Times
- Caris LeVert looking like real deal - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- D’Angelo Russell: We’re ‘supposed to beat’ the Knicks - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Knicks nipped by Nets thanks to LeVert’s bucket in final second - Howie Kussoy - New York Post
- When the rivalry will really get serious for the Knicks and Nets? - Marc Berman - New York Post
- Caris LeVert’s layup with one second left gives Nets victory over Knicks - Mark Herrmann - Newsday
- Nets back up big talk with thrilling win over Knicks - Greg Logan - Newsday
- ‘We knew it was coming’: Have the Brooklyn Nets become Caris LeVert’s team? - Michael Scotto - The Athletic New York
- Kevin Knox shows promise with improved performance as Knicks fall to Nets on Caris LeVert’s winner - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News
- Diplomatic Sam Darnold is not taking sides in the Knicks/Nets ‘rivalry’ - New York Daily News
- Knicks lose on last second shot by Nets’ Caris LeVert at Barclays Center - Chris Iseman - The Record
- Tim Hardaway Jr. on the final play of the New York Knicks’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets (Video) - The Record
- NETS 107, KNICKS 105: CARIS LEVERT CLOSES HOME OPENER WIN WITH CAREER-HIGH 28 POINTS - Tom Dowd - Brooklyn Nets
- GALLERY: NETS VS. KNICKS - Brooklyn Nets
- KNICKS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN THE FINAL SECONDS (Video) - Bill Pidto, Alan Hahn and Wally Szczerbiak - MSG Network