THE CITY OF SALT LAKE — Friday’s game between the Nets and the Jazz was reminiscent of a homecoming. Utah is where both Royce O’Neale and Jacque Vaughn began their playing careers. O’Neale, who was dealt to the Nets during the offseason, had a video tribute prior to pregame introductions.
Then, O’Neale scored 13 points as his new team defeated his previous squad, 117-106. In the first quarter, O’Neal scored nine early points as the Nets established a 24-11 lead.
“It’s a wonderful sensation, all the affection they’ve shown. O’Neale, who finished the game with six assists, five rebounds, and a plus-10 rating, remarked, “I spent five years here and have a lot of great memories, so to feel that welcome back meant a lot.”
Before the game, Vaughn stated, “Royce has been a huge asset for us, not only on the court, but also in the locker room, with the consistency he brings every single day and the joy he brings to the gym every single day.” “An individual I enjoy coaching, enjoy being around, and can rely on. He has played a great deal of minutes for us in a variety of situations, including semi-point guard and four-man at times. Therefore, a little of everything and an appreciation for it all.”
O’Neale played his first five NBA seasons with the Jazz before being traded to the Nets for a first-round pick this summer. John Stockton, a future Hall of Fame point guard, was Vaughn’s teammate during his first four seasons (1997-2001) with the Jazz.
Nic Claxton had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and a plus-29 rating. Notable were his four blocks, which gave him at least three in 11 consecutive games. This is tied with Shawn Bradley (1996) for the longest streak in Nets’ history.
Kyrie Irving tied or established season highs with 48 points, eight 3-pointers, 11 rebounds, and four steals.
Vaughn has been rearranging his rotations in an effort to get through three games in four nights and find a hot hand to ride in Kevin Durant’s absence due to a right MCL strain.
T.J. Warren was rested after being limited to a career-low eight minutes the night prior in Phoenix. On Friday, he played 18 minutes off the bench but scored only five points.
Prior to Friday, Seth Curry was averaging 15.8 points in eight January games while shooting 52.7 percent overall and 48.9 percent from 3-point range.
Friday, he scored 10 points and fired 2 for 6 from deep. In his previous three games, he averaged 18.3 points per contest. On Thursday, he played a season-high 36 minutes.
On Sunday at Golden State, Seth Curry will meet his older brother Stephen Curry for the first time since joining the Nets. The two-time Most Valuable Player was hurt during the Nets’ 30-point victory over the defending champions at Barclays Center in December, but the teams are now in drastically different positions.
Regarding the elder Curry, he leads NBA jersey sales, with Durant in fifth place and Irving in fifteenth. The Lakers, led by No. 2 seller LeBron James, are at the top of the list of teams, while the Nets are eighth.
»Great feeling, says Nets’ Royce O’Neale of his triumphant Utah homecoming«