Brooklyn Nets vs. Phoenix Suns preview: Second night of prodigal returns

Brooklyn Nets v Phoenix Suns — Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images

With trade rumors flying, the Phoenix Suns arrive in Brooklyn wondering when they might meet up with Jimmy Butler.

Surprisingly enough, the Mikal Bridges return game was a basically an unpleasant outing between New York’s crosstown rivals. Neither team could throw a rock in the ocean. When games are like this, sheer talent mixed with effort are likely what dictates the ending. In this case, it was Karl Anthony-Towns (25 points, 16 rebounds) who mastered that combination to lift the Knicks to a 99-95 win in what seemed like a home game for orange and blue. The lonely star for Brooklyn was D’Angelo Russell. who put on a passing masterclass with 10 assists to go along with 23 points. It was his best game since returning from to Brooklyn from L.A.

In today’s matchup, more former Nets will revisit Barclays. Kevin Durant and Royce O’Neal will make their return to the team that provided them with good memories, bad memories, okay, maybe more bad memories that good. Durant, O’Neal and Phoenix Suns will look to use this game as a catapult to launch them into winning territory, as they sit at exactly .500 with a 21-21 record.

Where To Watch

Check out the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass. Last night’s game, on TNT, was the last one scheduled for national TV.

Injury Report

Bojan Bogdanovic, Cam Thomas, DeAnthony Melton, Maxwell Lewis, Ziaire Williams, and Trendon Watford are still out. Dariq Whitehead has returned from his assignment with the Long Island Nets. We await word on Ben Simmons who’s been laid low by an undisclosed illness.

For the Suns, Jusuf Nurkic is out. Bradley Beal is questionable with an ankle injury.

The Game

So many thoughts come to mind when I think of KD. The possible championship, off the court issues, being the best player on the planet at the time, the toe on the line, it can drives any Nets fan crazy.

Then there were his comments from last week when he reminisced positively about his time in Brooklyn.

“Injuries, COVID, all that stuff played a factor,” Durant said on the “Out The Mud” podcast. “But, when you turn on that film and watch us on the court together, it was some (expletive) you could teach a team, you know I’m saying? We put some good stuff on film.”

But all that “stuff” is in the past, and all there is now is memories and hopes for a better experience the next time a superstar drops by. And nostalgia only goes so far, as KD noted

“I’m looking forward to playing them again,” Durant said after the Suns 118-92 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.. “We lost to them the first time playing them. We want to see them and get a W. End the road trip off right.”

With his new team, Durant is still Durant averaging 27 a game on over 50% shooting. The rest of the team has been rocky as of late as their average season has caused continuous questions of what the team should do next.

On Tuesday, the Suns made a curious trade that suggested their pursuit of Jimmy Butler is real. Phoenix traded their 2031 first rounder to Utah for three lesser firsts. Doing so will permit the Suns more flexibility in providing the Heat with more draft assets, but as Shams Charania pointed out early Wednesday in talking with with Scott Van Pelt, the deal will still have to be complicated with “three, four, five teams” involved. Might Brooklyn get involved? Stay tuned.

This game can be a great redemption song for Cam Johnson, as his 6-of-20 shooting line was unlike the season he has been having. What better way to get back in the feel than to do it against your former team! Ben Simmons should be back as well, as he will probably be the one to face KD. Ben, stay down, watch the hesi, and just live with the tough shots.

Player to Watch: Kevin Durant

Even if he doesn’t get a warm toasty hug in his return to Barclays, Kevin Durant must warrant respect from the most casual to the most sophisticated basketball fan. No choice. What he has done for the game is something that very few players can replicate, and he is still doing it.

It’ll be interesting to see if KD can be in sync with his teammates, as he was visibly frustrated following their loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“We don’t have a zone package yet. We’re not familiar with what we’re doing,” Durant pointed out. Then he admitted: “So, on the fly you get the zone thrown at you, it can be tough. But that’s what great teams do, they make adjustments throughout the game.”

From the Vault

As we noted, Royce O’Neal is also returning tonight, his first game back in Brooklyn since being dealt to Phoenix for three second rounders at the trade deadline, one of the first moves in the Nets rebuild.

A fan favorite in the borough because of his reliable game at both ends of the court, O’Neal could also provide some big shots, particularly from deep. Here’s a compilation.