Cam Johnson delivered in the clutch, scoring 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, including a decisive tiebreaking 3-pointer, to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 101-94 comeback victory over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night.
Johnson’s late-game burst helped Brooklyn rally from a 10-point deficit and secure just their second win in eight games.
Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton provided early energy before being ejected in the second quarter after throwing the ball into the stands, finishing with seven points in just 11 minutes. Claxton’s frustration boiled over, but Nets assistant Juwan Howard intervened, preventing further escalation as the center exited the court.
Despite the disruption, Johnson stepped up, particularly in the game’s final moments. He drained a series of critical shots, including 11 straight points for Brooklyn to close out the game. His 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining gave the Nets a lead they would not relinquish.
Ben Simmons and Shake Milton each contributed 12 points, while rookie Noah Clowney added 11. Brooklyn’s bench provided much-needed support, as the team outscored Toronto 35-18 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback.
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For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes returned to action after missing two games with a sprained right ankle. He played 36 minutes and scored 16 points but couldn’t find his rhythm late. Ochai Agbaji led Toronto with 20 points, while Gradey Dick added 19 in a losing effort. The Raptors’ youth was on full display with a starting lineup averaging just over 22 years old—the youngest in franchise history.
Toronto appeared in control late in the third quarter, shooting 7-for-11 from beyond the arc during the period and building a 76-66 lead. However, their shooting touch abandoned them in the fourth, as they managed just 1-for-10 from distance.
The game’s turning point came with 2:46 remaining when Barnes scored to put Toronto ahead 90-88. Johnson responded by single-handedly taking over, scoring 11 straight points, including a dagger 3-pointer that extended Brooklyn’s lead to 99-90 with 23 seconds left.
Toronto’s Injuries
Injury woes continued to plague Toronto. Jakob Poeltl remained sidelined with a strained left groin, RJ Barrett was out due to illness, and Davion Mitchell missed the game with a strained right shoulder. The Raptors’ six-game losing streak reflects the challenges of missing key players and relying on an inexperienced roster.
Brooklyn’s resilience was evident throughout the game. Despite Claxton’s ejection and an inconsistent offensive performance, the team locked down defensively in the fourth quarter, holding Toronto to just 18 points. Simmons controlled the boards late, grabbing critical rebounds and facilitating ball movement in crunch time.
The Nets improved to 8-18 with the win, while the Raptors dropped to 7-19. Both teams are struggling to find consistency, but Brooklyn’s victory showcased their potential when Johnson and the supporting cast step up.
Looking ahead, Brooklyn will host Utah on Saturday, aiming to build momentum with another win. Toronto, meanwhile, will return home to face Houston on Sunday, searching for answers to snap their losing streak.
In a game defined by youth, resilience, and late-game shot-making, Cam Johnson stood tall, reminding fans why he’s a key piece of Brooklyn’s future.