PHOENIX — Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson created plenty of memories with the Suns before being traded to the Nets Feb. 9. It was only right their first game back carried multiple emotions.
The love came early with a tribute video during starting lineup introductions. They were introduced together instead of separately and it continued with applause on made baskets even though they were visitors.
But Bridges and Johnson were upstaged by their teammates who helped the Nets hang on for a 116-112 win. Cam Thomas sealed the win with a pair of a free throws with three seconds left as the Nets (13-10) improved to 7-2 over their last nine games.
It made Bridges and Johnson’s return sweeter after slightly uneven performances. Bridges had 21 points despite shooting just 7-for-19 from the field. Johnson, who played four seasons with Suns scored 15 points with five rebounds and four assists but was scoreless in the second half on 0-for-5 shooting.
“It was dope. I mean, just really appreciative and being in the moment,” said Bridges, who spent five seasons in Phoenix. “Just appreciate everything and my years here and everything and this was really cool.
The duo got help to put the Suns (13-11) away. Thomas, who had a team-high 24 points, scored eight to start the fourth quarter and gave the Nets the lead they’d never relinquish.
Spencer Dinwiddie made a three-pointer and a layup to give the Nets an eight-point lead with 1:24 left.
However, the Suns cut that lead to two with 16 seconds left. After a Nets timeout, Johnson was fouled with seven seconds remaining as the Suns had a foul to give. The Nets then nearly turned the ball over on the inbounds pass before Dinwiddie recovered it and passed to Thomas, who was fouled.
After the win, Bridges and Johnson got one last cheer while leaving the court. Johnson spent his pregame warmups signing autographs for fans because he wanted them to know that he was all right and he loved them as much as they loved him.
“This building…
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