Cam Thomas’ rapidly growing game on offense. Nic Claxton on defense. And, in the end, just enough plays for the Nets to pull out a 122-119 overtime win over Washington before 15,159 Wednesday at Capital One Arena.
The Nets (28-45) were winless in four prior overtime games this season before finally breaking through behind their two young standouts, neither at 100 percent.
Thomas, who missed Monday’s win in Toronto with a bad back and was in question for Wednesday, poured in 38 points to tie Jordan Poole for game-high honors.
But even more encouraging, Thomas had seven assists to beat blitzes and find his teammates.
Claxton, who began the game with a face mask to protect a broken nose, but discarded it, had 17 points, 13 boards, a pair of steals and three blocks.
He had one on Dani Avdija’s layup attempt with 11.5 seconds left in regulation, and two more in the extra stanza to help win it.
“We just had to lock in as a team. We knew what the task was at hand … it came down to getting stops,” Claxton said.
“He’s just mentally tough,” interim coach Kevin Ollie said. “He’s showing that he’s a leader and captain of our team. And we need guys that continue to step up and be that and not just talk about it, but be about it. He’s showing with action, not just words. So very proud of him. Just very proud of the team.”
Dennis Schroder had 21 points and eight assists. Mikal Bridges added 19 points, six boards, four assists, two steals and two blocks.
Brooklyn won consecutive road games for the first time since Nov. 3.
“Just getting stops,” said Thomas, who downplayed his maturation as a passer. “I’ve grown as a passer because I’m playing more. If anybody doesn’t really play much and they get in for a few spurts, really nobody’s looking to pass when they first get in. They’re looking to get some buckets. So I’d say really it’s just me playing more, I have more opportunity to find the guys.”
After Claxton’s block sent the game to overtime at 112-all, his tip dunk 24 seconds into the extra frame gave Brooklyn the early lead. Then the center blocked Kyle Kuzma’s turnaround.
After Thomas hit a midrange turnaround for a 116-112 lead, Claxton blocked Kispert’s layup attempt.
Thomas’ 16-foot pull-up gave the Nets a six-point lead with three minutes left in the overtime, and they never surrendered it.
“CT said it. T-Wat said it. Let’s get kills,” said Ollie, referring to Thomas and forward Trendon Watford. “And a kill for us is three stops in a row. And we started that overtime with three stops in a row,” Ollie said.
Brooklyn did let Washington pull within two on buckets by Poole and Kuzma; after Thomas missed on a drive he got whistled for a foul.
But Kispert made just one of two with 13.5 seconds left, and Schroder calmly sank both the other way.
Dorian Finney-Smith missed two huge free throws with four seconds left, but stole the ball from Avdija to seal it.
