<\/p>\n
He might have been dumped by the Phoenix Suns in their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, but Mikal Bridges is enjoying a hot start to life in Brooklyn \u2013 and showing his former team exactly what they lost.<\/p>\n
Bridges demolished his career-high with 45 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in a massive performance to lead the Nets past the Miami Heat 116-105.<\/p>\n
Bridges shot 17-of-23 field goal attempts including four of six from deep, and at one point drained 13 of Brooklyn\u2019s points in a row.<\/p>\n
Watch an average of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now ><\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Thu, 16 Feb<\/p>\n Thursday February 16th<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Making it even more remarkable was the fact that it was just his third game with his new team, with the home fans repeatedly cheering \u2018Brooklyn Bridges\u2019 in support of their new star.<\/p>\n Bridges had been used in Phoenix almost exclusively as a \u20183 and D\u2019 player, but his offensive explosion proved that he is capable of much more than that limited role.<\/p>\n In the wake of the departures of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, he is also the second player to pass 40 points in a game, after Cam Thomas \u2013 the 21 year old who had 19 points today in just 21 minutes, but had 40-plus points in three-straight games earlier this month.<\/p>\n Thomas added four assists and two rebounds, while Cameron Johnson had 18 points.<\/p>\n The duo\u2019s offensive output in recent games looms as a silver lining for the Nets after the departures of scoring machines Durant and Irving.<\/p>\n Asked about the identity of the rebuilding Brooklyn squad, Bridges replied: \u201cJust playing together, all 48 minutes, five guys, especially on the defensive end \u2013 I think we can be a force down there. Once we get stops, all of us can play in transition. <\/p>\n \u201cJust starting on the defensive end and getting out and scoring.\u201d<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s Ben Simmons was the first man to come off the bench for the Nets, but was booed by his own fans as he did so.<\/p>\n However, he showed promising Simmons finished with four rebounds, four assists, and two points in his 20 minutes.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, LaMelo Ball had 28 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds (season-high) to lead the Charlotte Hornets past San Antonio 120-110 \u2013 the 14th consecutive loss for the Spurs. <\/p>\n The 76ers beat the Cavaliers 118-112 as Joel Embiid added 14 rebounds and five assists to his 29 points, while James Harden had 19 points and 12 assists. Donovan Mitchell had 33 points and Darius Garland 27 for Cleveland, who fought back in the second half after entering the big break down 25 points.<\/p>\n Hauser’s CRAZY 3 not enough to top Bucks | 01:09<\/p>\n MORE COVERAGE<\/b><\/p>\n \u2018It was other s***\u2019: Ex-Laker reveals real reason behind NBA powerhouse\u2019s ugly slide<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n
\nsigns on the court, including a brilliant three-quarter
\npass to Bridges at the end of the third quarter for the quick score.<\/p>\n