Brooklyn Nets rookie Danny Wolf erupted for a career-high 22 points against the Bucks, showcasing the Nets' promising future despite the loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night. Fellow rookie, Ben Saraf, chimed in with 10 points and seven assists. The Nets got a good look at their future combo.
The Brooklyn Nets and their fans got a good look at their future Saturday night. Despite a blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the team was treated to an All-Star like performance by rookie Danny Wolf, who only a day before was in the G League.
In the 116-99 loss to the Bucks, Wolf, appearing in his fifth NBA game, scored a career-high 22 points for Brooklyn. He led the Nets in scoring coming off of the bench.
He was 8-for-16 from the field. He also shot 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Jalen Wilson added 13 for the Nets in the loss.
"It comes down to the motto that you have to be ready when your name is called," Wolf said after the game. "Take advantage of the opportunity to shoot when you are open and then let it fly. I trusted my work and the confidence this coaching staff has in me."
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points to lead the Bucks and in the process topped the 21,000 point plateau for his career. Playing the Nets was the perfect elixir for the Bucks who snapped a seven-game losing skid.
The "Greek Freak" became the 42nd player in NBA history to reach the milestone. He is also the sixth youngest to reach the mark, which he did on a triple that he hit midway through the third quarter.Milwaukee took control of the game with a 39-point second quarter and held the Nets to only 24. They held a 71-53 lead at the break and would lead by as many as 32 at 92-60 midway through the third quarter.
The Nets played without starting rookie point guard Egor Demin, who led the team in scoring Friday night, as he was sidelined due to load management for his plantar fascia tear he sustained over the summer.
Fellow rookie, guard Ben Saraf, scored 10 points off the bench and dished out seven assists to show more of what he can do in the backcourt. Saraf played more minutes and scored more points than both of the starting guards, Tyrese Martin and Terance Mann.
"I think defensively, we were getting killed on the boards and gave up too many points in the paint," Saraf said. "The guys made it easy for me to transition into the game. We need to play with force all the time."
Brooklyn will look to break through the win column on Monday when they play host to the Charlotte Hornets.