ESNY’s 5 gif reaction to Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Brooklyn Nets couldn’t keep pace with Collin Sexton in Cleveland on Wednesday night, fading in a double-overtime loss.

The Brooklyn Nets‘ newly-formed trio of superstars put up monster numbers against the Cavaliers but ultimately came up short, losing 147-135. The “big three” played major minutes in James Harden‘s first loss as a Net.

There were a few different storylines to this game — Kyrie Irving‘s return, Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince‘s first game against the Nets, and the first time Brooklyn’s “big three” would be on the floor together. Take your pick.

Here is the game as told by five gifs.

Big 3

Uh oh, watch out NBA because there’s a new “big three” in town. This was Irving’s first game back since his personal leave and it was the first time he would be playing alongside Kevin Durant and James Harden.

It’s the beginning of a new era in Brooklyn.

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10-10

The Harden-Durant-Irving trio sped out to a magnificent start together. Even though they struggled with turnovers early, they began the game going 10-for-10 from the field. It was perfection from the Nets.

Cleveland looked like they were in for a long night.

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0-11

The perfect 10-for-10 start went south in the blink of an eye. The Cavaliers threw a matchup zone out that the Nets had absolutely no answer for. The ball began sticking, there was no movement, and the Nets were settling for poor looks.

Durant would eventually put the ball in the bucket to end the drought, but the damage was done. Brooklyn would not be running away with this game.

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Fourth Quarter Surge

The Nets looked out of it offensively for significant stretches during the first three quarters. But when there is so much offensive talent packed into one team, they are bound to find a rhythm at some point.

That came in the fourth quarter, a 12-minute stretch where the Nets outscored the Cavs 35-26 to send the game into overtime. For the game, Irving and Durant combined for 75 points while Harden chipped in with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. I guess this is what Harden was talking about when he said the Nets were going to be scary hours.

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Double Trouble

Collin Sexton put on an absolute show on Wednesday. In fact, he outdueled the “big three” almost by himself. Sexton put up 42 points on 16-for-29 shooting. Brooklyn could not figure out a way to slow him down, but he really turned on the afterburners in double overtime. In those five minutes, Sexton scored 15 straight points and the Nets were cooked.

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Brooklyn will have a chance at revenge on Friday night. Due to the NBA trying to limit travel, the Nets and Cavaliers will run it back at Quicken Loans Arena in two nights.