The Brooklyn Nets were already shorthanded in the backcourt heading into Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards. A day after his trade request became public, Kyrie Irving was out with a calf injury. Ben Simmons missed his fourth straight game with a knee injury. Making matters worse, Seth Curry left the game early with adductor tightness. On top of that, Kevin Durant remained sidelined. The Nets needed some help. They got it from Cam Thomas.
Thomas played 29 minutes coming off of Brooklyn’s bench. He made the most of his time. The second-year guard finished the game with 44 points, six rebounds and five assists, helping the Nets to a 125-123 victory.
Those numbers are historically good.
“Nets guard Cam Thomas finished with 44 points, tied for the 2nd-most in a game off the bench in Nets NBA history,” Marc J. Spears of ESPN said. “Cliff Robinson had 45 points in a game off the bench in 1980.”
“Nets say Cam Thomas joins Stephon Marbury as the only players in franchise history to score 40+ points in fewer than 30 minutes in a game. Thomas: 44 points in 29 minutes tonight vs. Washington. Marbury: 41 points in 29 minutes on 11/11/00 vs. Seattle,” Spears added.
Nets guard Cam Thomas finished with 44 points, tied for the 2nd-most in a game off the bench in Nets NBA history.
Cliff Robinson had 45 points in a game off the bench in 1980. @ESPNStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/tXQB5h2DNh— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 5, 2023
Nets say Cam Thomas joins Stephon Marbury as the only players in franchise history to score 40+ points in fewer than 30 minutes in a game.
Thomas: 44 points in 29 minutes tonight vs. Washington.
Marbury: 41 points in 29 minutes on 11/11/00 vs. Seattle.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 5, 2023
Thomas’ incredible performance got the attention of the NBA world on Saturday.
Cam Thomas is breaking out in front of our eyes
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) February 5, 2023
Cam Thomas today:
44 Points
6 Rebounds
5 Assists
69.6 FG% (16/23)Scored 19 points in the 4th quarter, including 5 in the final minute. Clutch effort with Kyrie Irving unavailable. pic.twitter.com/J1Gd5tudEw
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 5, 2023
https://twitter.com/BolWrld/status/1622047503351791620
I love Cam Thomas. I'm pretty sure each time he hits the floor, he looks around and thinks "Yeah, I got this." And that's even if KD and Kyrie are out there with him. Sometimes irrational confidence is a skill. Sometimes it costs you. But it's always fun!
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 5, 2023
While getting playing time has been an issue for Thomas, he’s shown strong potential in limited opportunities. He scored 19 points in Brooklyn’s previous game and 21 in the game before that. In a December game against the Indiana Pacers, Thomas had 33 points. If Irving does get moved, the more consistent playing time that Thomas would get will be one of the most intriguing things to follow.
[Marc J. Spears on Twitter]
