3 key reactions from Nets season-opening loss vs Cavs

The Brooklyn Nets lost their season opener to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ben Simmons struggled, Cam Thomas had a standout performance, and the Nets' offense faltered late.

The Brooklyn Nets suffered a close defeat in their season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing 114-113 at the Barclays Center. Despite holding the lead late in the game, the Nets' revamped roster was unable to secure the victory against the Cavaliers led by Donovan Mitchell.

There are three key takeaways from this nail-biter in Brooklyn:

1. Ben Simmons' regression to old habits: Throughout the preseason, Simmons showcased improved aggressiveness with the ball, which was a major talking point for the Nets. However, in Wednesday's loss, he seemed to revert back to his ineffective form from last season. Simmons only scored four points on 2-of-6 shooting and failed to get to the free-throw line. While he did contribute with nine assists and 10 rebounds, his offensive passivity was evident, leading to several stalled offensive possessions for Brooklyn. Similar to last year, Simmons struggled with his shot, often missing shots near the rim. He even passed up an open dunk opportunity early in the game, which he had successfully executed in previous seasons. The Nets had high hopes for Simmons as their primary ball-handler, but his hesitance with the ball in this game was a disappointment for a team relying on him to take a significant step forward this season.

2. Cam Thomas' impressive performance but limited playing time: Cam Thomas, who had mostly been on the bench in his first two seasons, had a breakout game and became one of the top storylines for the Nets this season. The fourth-year player scored 36 points on 13-of-21 shooting, setting an NBA record for the most points scored off the bench in a season opener. Thomas carried the struggling Nets offense, particularly in the first half, and kept the team in the game. However, despite his hot start, Thomas played only 11 minutes in the second half. He sat out for a significant portion of the fourth quarter, with Coach Jacque Vaughn explaining that he believed Thomas was tired. Some may question Vaughn's decision to keep Thomas on the bench, considering his exceptional shooting performance throughout the game.

3. Late-game offensive struggles for the Nets: One of the main concerns for the Nets heading into this season was their ability to close out games during clutch moments. Unfortunately, Wednesday's game highlighted their lack of a reliable closer. Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers demonstrated what the Nets were missing, making crucial shots down the stretch. Despite a six-point lead with 1:24 remaining, the Nets faltered in the final moments. Mitchell hit a tough stepback jumper to cut the lead to four, and the Nets struggled to execute on the offensive end. A blocked shot by Cam Johnson and free throws by Max Strus brought the Cavaliers within two points. A miscommunication between Royce O'Neale and Mikal Bridges led to a turnover, allowing Mitchell to strip the ball and score a dunk. The Nets regained a one-point lead after Bridges made two free throws, but Mitchell responded with a clutch three-pointer to regain the advantage. In the final possession, the Nets attempted to get the ball to Bridges, but the Cavaliers' physical defense prevented him from getting open, resulting in a missed shot by Thomas as time expired. The Nets' inability to find a reliable go-to scorer in clutch moments is a concern that needs to be addressed if they want to improve their late-game results.

With the recent trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets have emphasized a more balanced scoring approach rather than relying on isolation plays. However, every NBA team needs a player who can consistently score in late-game situations when the pace slows down and defenses tighten up. The Nets currently lack that player, and until they find a solution, they may continue to experience disappointing results in close games.