By Kristian Cuaresma

Here are five things to highlight from NetsGC’s 61-58 victory over Knicks Gaming.

1 – At A Loss For Words…

This win was huge,it was the type of win that could potentially save a team’s season. At worst, it ends up being a victory that resets the mood in the locker room, and at this point, that is all NetsGC can ask for. On the heels of a six-game losing streak, no one would have blinked an eye if NetsGC went through the motions of their final game and went quietly into the night. However, with their back against the wall, the team fought relentlessly through four quarters against Knicks Gaming. It was the same type of adversity that Brooklyn has faced throughout THE TURN, but this time, the good guys walked away with a much-deserved win.

2 – A Moment For a King

For 22 minutes of a 24-minute game in the NBA 2K League, it looked like King Haad would finish with another lackluster performance. Down nine points with just over four minutes remaining in the game, the rookie had five points on 2-of-7 shooting and was on pace for his worst game as a member of NetsGC. Moments later, King Haad’s teammates would rally for him and complete a gritty comeback, which ultimately set the stage for King Haad to finally live up to his potential. In the final two minutes, Haad hit consecutive shots from the perimeter, matching equally big shots from Knicks Gaming. After sinking a pair of free throws, the rookie saved his best for last. With the clock winding down, King Haad would hit a deep ball as he faded to his left, sealing the game for NetsGC. This is what the team envisioned when they traded for the 19-year-old scorer.

3 – It Did Not Look Good At First 

For a majority of this game, it looked like NetsGC would finish group play with zero wins. The team looked good early, scoring 20 points in the first quarter and suggesting they may have finally cured their offensive woes. Unfortunately, like in many games prior to this, the offense disappeared and left the team scrambling for answers. NetsGC would go on to score a combined 19 points in the next two quarters. If it was not for the explosive 22-point fourth quarter, the narrative could have ended up being very different. The win meant everything to this team, but there is clearly still work to be done.

4 – The Comeback

While King Haad hit the big shots he was brought in to make, the unsung heroes around him were the catalyst for the comeback. Trailing by nine points with 4:15 left in the game, NetsGC got four easy points back in transition due to Steez’s incredible defense. Fellow veteran big man Shotz was on the receiving end of a few of those transition points and came up with a huge offensive rebound which then immediately led to a Steez layup. On the other end, the combination of Steez and Streetz were brilliant with their pick and roll coverage, effectively playing lanes and contesting any looks Knicks Gaming tried to generate.

5 – Just What the Doctor Ordered

The sophomore sniper deserves a lot of credit for holding it down while NetsGC labored offensively during the middle frames. Before the fourth quarter, Doc was the team’s leading scorer with 16 points. His most impressive stretch came in the third when he reeled off seven points and built enough momentum to activate his shooting takeover badge. Though it was not obvious at the time, his contributions prevented the game from getting completely out of hand. NetsGC is at its best when everyone does their job, and Doc’s work leading to the dramatic fourth quarter was crucial to the victory.