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Ziaire Williams completes the revenge game in the Brooklyn Nets’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies

Ziaire Williams completes the revenge game in the Brooklyn Nets’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies

Ziaire Williams first entered the FedExForum as a bright-eyed 20-year-old rookie preparing for his first NBA season under difficult circumstances. On his return last night with the Brooklyn Nets, Williams is now looking for his second chance in the league – and is taking advantage of it with his new ball club.

Williams was instrumental in the Nets’ away record of 119:106 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, just like he was important on the first night of a back-to-back overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets. In 22 minutes, Ziaire scored 17 points and four steals against his former team.

“I really wanted that,” Williams said after the game. “It was a strange feeling just being out there on the other side. Like I said, it’s still all love. I miss those guys, but I was definitely happy to be able to talk a little bit and, more importantly, get the win.”

The Nets were without Nic Claxton, whose hamstring injury caused him to miss pre-season, is receiving treatment. That put an even greater defensive burden on Williams, but he passed the test. The Stanford product took over the entire court, snatched off errant passes and represented overall nuance on that side of the ball.

“Jordi and the rest of the team have told me from day one that my main job is to create chaos on the pitch,” Williams explained. “(To) protect the best player, cover the entire field and provide the energy. “Coming off the bench, I feel like that’s the least I can do for the starters.”

Brooklyn’s overall energy was notable considering the team suffered an overtime loss at home before heading to Memphis. A teammate who helped set the tone For Williams – and who was the key to the Nets’ victory with 33 points and eight assists – is Dennis Schröder.

“He’s a winner,” Williams said. “He’s been doing that 94-foot defense for years, so I’m just trying to catch up to him. He does everything just to win. Causes chaos on the attack and defense sides. He’s playing great right now, shooting the ball at a high rate and making plays at a high level.”

In addition to Schröder and Williams, Cam Thomas scored 19 points for the Nets against the Grizzlies. Cam Johnson scored 14 points on 4 of 8 shooting from three. Brooklyn next plays the Chicago Bulls on Friday night at Barclays Center.

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