March 14, 2025
Killian Hayes had himself a massive game, as the Nets dismantle the Memphis Hustle
Killian Hayes, fresh off a stint with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, came into Place Bell tonight with a chip on his shoulder and a bee in his bonnet, and was determined to bring the heat to the Memphis Hustle.
Hayes put up impressive numbers tonight, putting up a career high 38 points from eight three pointers, five rebounds, six assists and shooting 60% from field. That, on top of playing solid defense and limiting the Memphis Hustle’s attack.
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In fact, the entire Long Island Nets team came out of the gate on fire, as it looked as if this games was going to be a barn burner from the tip off. The Nets were seemingly sinking everything they threw towards the Hustle bucket as this looked like a game that could have a score line akin to a runaway train early on.
Without the services of Oshae Brissett, who had signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nets found strength in Hayes, as mentioned, as well Drew Timme who put up 28 points, Tosan Evbuomwan’s 17 points and Tyson Etienne who scored 15 as the Nets put up a 48 point first quarter.
Memphis weren’t about to lay down however, as they stormed back with a massive second quarter to drag themselves back into the contest. The Hustle put up 34 points in the second, relying on the speed and skills of Yuki Kawamura. Nate Hinton put up 25 points throughout the game, as did DJ Steward, while Armando Bacot hit 21.
Memphis had closed the score to within just three points, trailing the Nets 65 to 68.
The third quarter was as closely contest as it gets, and both teams continued to put up good offensive numbers, scoring 34 points a piece. Briefly, the Hustle had taken a slender two point lead, but that was quickly squashed when Hayes dropped a three point shot to put the Nets back in front.
Into the final frame, the Nets remained in front by just three points but came out like they had in the opening frame, and shut down the Hustle while teeing off on the scoreboard. The Nets dropped 28 points on the Hustle who could only muster 17, as the Nets cruised ahead, toying with the Hustle as the clock ticked down.
At the buzzer, the Nets were ahead by a whopping 130 to 116, giving them back-to-back victories over the Memphis Hustle, as the squad gathered to applaud the 7428 fans that had come out for the Nets final game in Laval.
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This concludes the six Long Island Nets games that were scheduled to take place in Laval this season, and if the NBA and NBA G League were paying attention, they would have noticed that Laval and Montreal are basketball towns, hungry for a top-flight franchise.
Luckily, the CEBL season is about to get underway, where the Montreal Alliance are entering their fourth season, hungry to get another taste of post-season action as they did last year. Alliance home games take place at the Verdun Auditorium and tickets are on sale now.
