The Brooklyn Nets' second NBA preseason game of the 2024-25 campaign was filled with action. Despite having Nic Claxton out with an injury, the Nets put on an impressive two-way display and beat the Washington Wizards 131-92. Of course, fourth-year guard Cam Thomas led the team's scoring efforts, but he and his teammates were more excited for rookie forward Cui Yongxi.
Yongxi checked into Monday night's game late and played just five minutes, but he impressively scored five points in his brief stint. His first NBA bucket was a contested three-pointer that electrified the Nets bench:
Jacky with back-to-back buckets and the bench is loving it!! pic.twitter.com/sXiDUpt3aA
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 15, 2024
Cui Yongxi finished the night shooting 2-for-5 from the field and 1-for-2 on his three-pointers. The former CBA star is quickly earning respect and sentiment from his teammates, given Cam Thomas' postgame assessment:
“Everybody was lit," Thomas said, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. [Yongxi] hit the three and everybody got lit, then he called for the iso and the whole bench went crazy.”
Thomas further expanded on the chemistry the Nets are developing going into the season and how that will allow them to be successful.
"That was good. We all like each other. I feel like that also helps us as a team... we all want to see each other succeed, no matter who it is. So I feel like that's one good thing that coach has been preaching to us as well. Just being connected and being together as a team, just being happy for each other's success."
Nets' Wizards antics take fans on nostalgic path
Brooklyn's bench was not just excited for Cui Yongxi's showing but for the team's success in general. There were several times Monday night when Ben Simmons drove to the basket for a strong layup or dished a pass that caused his teammates to flex and smile.
The energy the young Nets are showing is strikingly similar to the vibe the 2018-19 Nets team gave. Many Nets fans remember the iconic bench dances the team participated in when a highlight happened during the game. For example, despite being the team's top star, D'Angelo Russell was consistently supportive when he was out of the game, performing a one-legged dance move on the bench on several occasions:
The 2024 Nets appear to share a similar disposition to Russell's old squad, and that is a great sign for fans. Brooklyn aims to give its best during the regular season and have as much fun as it can while doing so.