Nets' Thrilling Last-Second Comeback Against Rockets
The Brooklyn Nets pulled off an unbelievable last-second comeback against the Houston Rockets, winning 99-97 despite trailing by four points with only 9.5 seconds remaining. This thrilling finish not only stunned the Rockets but also ended the Nets' 11-game home losing streak and marked their third consecutive win.
With time running out, Keon Johnson drilled a crucial 3-pointer to bring the Nets within one. Then, Tosan Evbuomwan stole the inbounds pass, leading to D’Angelo Russell’s game-winning 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left. The Rockets had a final chance, but Jalen Green’s desperation three-point attempt missed as time expired.
Despite the dominant performance of Alperen Sengun, who put up 24 points and 20 rebounds, the Rockets were unable to hold on. The Nets, led by Russell’s clutch shooting and Evbuomwan’s defensive heroics, walked away with a memorable win that could be a turning point in their season.
How the Nets Pulled Off the Shocking Comeback
Final 9.5 Seconds Breakdown
1?? Keon Johnson Hits a Deep 3 (8.1 sec left) – Cuts Rockets’ lead to one point.
2?? Tosan Evbuomwan’s Game-Changing Steal – Prevents Houston from inbounding cleanly.
3?? D’Angelo Russell Drills the Game-Winner (3.4 sec left) – Seals the comeback with a clutch three-pointer.
4?? Jalen Green Misses the Last Shot – Houston’s final attempt fails, sealing Brooklyn’s win.
Key Players & Performances
- D’Angelo Russell (Nets) – 17 points, including the game-winning 3-pointer.
- Keon Johnson (Nets) – 14 points, hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds.
- Tosan Evbuomwan (Nets) – Key steal that led to the game-winning shot.
- Alperen Sengun (Rockets) – 24 points, 20 rebounds, a dominant performance despite the loss.
- Jalen Green (Rockets) – 19 points, but missed the final shot.
Statistical Highlights
- Nets' comeback: Overcame a 4-point deficit in just 9.5 seconds.
- Nets' home skid snapped: Brooklyn ended an 11-game home losing streak.
- Three-game win streak: The Nets are now on a 3-game winning run.
- Sengun’s dominance: A 24-point, 20-rebound night, one of the best performances of his career.
- Houston’s late collapse: Rockets failed to inbound the ball with a chance to seal the game.
Watch the Highlights
Full Game Highlights – Nets vs. Rockets
Box Score & Game Stats
What This Means for Both Teams
Brooklyn Nets:
Momentum Shift – Ending an 11-game home losing streak boosts team morale.
Russell’s Leadership – His clutch shooting proves valuable in crunch time.
Defensive Improvements – The late-game steal and defensive stops were key.
Houston Rockets:
Late-Game Execution Issues – Failed inbound play and poor decision-making cost them.
Wasted Sengun’s Big Night – A 24-point, 20-rebound effort was not enough.
Missed Clutch Shot – Jalen Green couldn’t convert in the final seconds.
Key Takeaways
Nets' clutch gene: Brooklyn executed perfectly in crunch time.
Tosan Evbuomwan’s impact: His steal changed the game.
D’Angelo Russell’s heroics: Proved his worth as a clutch shooter.
Houston’s struggles: Rockets collapsed in the final moments.
Sengun’s monster game: Despite 24-20 stats, Houston still lost.
What’s Next?
Brooklyn Nets:
- Can they build on this momentum and keep winning at home?
- Will Russell continue to step up as a clutch performer?
Houston Rockets:
- Can they recover from this heartbreaking loss?
- Will they improve their late-game decision-making?