SAN ANTONIO Jan. 18 (BNA): Keldon Johnson had a career-high 36 points and 11 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs weathered a five-game comeback with a 106-98 injury-hit win that slowed the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.
“Tons of energy and a lot of confidence, this is Keldon,” San Antonio rookie forward Jeremy Suchan said. “He’s great. We all trust him.”
Sochan added 16 points in a physical outing that included a game with Brooklyn forward Markiev Morris, the Associated Press reports.
He lost the net for the third time in a row. They’ve gone down every game since Kevin Durant suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee. Kyrie Irving was a late scratch due to a sore right calf.
Johnson was 11-for-26 from the field, including two key baskets in the fourth quarter. He hit a 3-pointer after a missed 3 off of Seth Curry, giving the Spurs an 87-82 lead. One possession after Nick Claxton blocked his dunk attempt, Johnson threw a one-handed dunk for an 89-82 lead.
“It just felt great,” Johnson said of his late turn in the third. “I can’t lie. They called right after that. I was happy. My coach and teammates put the ball into my hands, and I’m just getting something.”
Ben Simmons had a triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for Brooklyn in the opening game of a five-game trip. TJ Warren added 19 points and Claxton had 15 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and four assists.
A flare-up midway through the second quarter between Morris and Suchan momentarily sparked the net. Suchan held a three-finger near Morris’ face after he drained a three-pointer that gave San Antonio a 39-34 lead with 5:20 left in the half.
The Nets veteran verbally told the rookie that he wasn’t being appreciated, then patted Suchan into the chest on the ensuing possession.
The play resulted in an offensive and technical foul on Morris, as well as a hard 1 on Suchan, who pushed Morris onto the court during the play.
“It’s a different era, man,” Morris said. “I’ve seen the play before he makes 3 and points at me.” I made a shot. What is this? So, I mean, I put up a hard screen and then he grabbed me. He did like a wrestling move on me. He got me.”
Brooklyn went on a 15-3 run after the dust, erasing another slow start.
That momentum stalled in the third quarter as the Nets were outscored 25-17.
The Nets were scoreless for four minutes after Simmons made the game-opening basket on a 23-second lead shot hook. Simmons opened the match by shooting 2 for 5 after a series of spins and dribbles that ended with most of his shots off the edge.
“With Kevin and Ky out, we’ve got a lot of different lineups that we’re not 100% familiar with,” said Nets winger Joe Harris.
San Antonio led Brooklyn 27-15 after the first quarter. This was the lowest number of points scored by Tottenham’s opponent in the first quarter of this season. The previous drop was 23 points by Minnesota on Oct. 30. The Nets slowed down by seven turnovers.
Tip-ins
Nets: Irving wasn’t initially listed on the injury report, but was ruled out before the game. Nets coach Jack Vaughn said he doesn’t think the injury is serious and hopes Irving can play Thursday in Phoenix. Brooklyn’s season-low first-quarter production was 14 points, on October 19 against New Orleans, and November 23 against Toronto. The season-low for any quarter is 13 points in the third against Miami on January 8.
Spurs: San Antonio hasn’t won consecutive games since winning three in a row Dec. 8-12.
next one
Nets: In Phoenix on Thursday.
Tottenham: Los Angeles hosts the Clippers on Friday.