The Nets are right back in it.
Back within striking distance of the play-in tournament.
Back to performing like the team they promise they’re capable of being.
Back to relevance.
The Nets clawed their way to a 114-102 win over the Hawks on Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center, the second leg of two consecutive games between the two teams.
The Nets entered the two-game set four games behind the Hawks for the No. 10 seed in the East and final play-in spot, likely facing two must-win games.
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Now, after ripping the Hawks 124-97 on Thursday and rallying to win Saturday, the Nets are just two games back of the Hawks with 22 games remaining and a favorable schedule ahead of them.
The Nets were quickly at risk of getting blown out of the building and seeing their postseason ambition take a significant hit.
But Mikal Bridges wouldn’t let that happen.
His brutal shooting woes finally appear to be behind him, and he performed like the star the Nets need him to be if they are to make a serious run to the postseason.
Bridges poured in 38 points on 14-for-26 shooting from the field and 5 of 10 from behind the arc.
Cameron Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets puts up a shot as Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks jumps to defend. Jason Szenes / New York Post Lonnie Walker IV of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for a shot as Bruno Fernando of the Atlanta Hawks jumps to defend during the first half. Jason Szenes / New York PostIt was the most Bridges scored since a Jan. 7 loss to the Trail Blazers.
The Nets trailed by as many as 13 points early, but they used a 7-0 run at the end of the second quarter to cut their deficit to 56-54, and a few moments later tied it at 59-59.
They then used a 15-2 run in the third quarter to take a 75-66 lead, and never looked back.
