If there was an MVP of this game on Brooklyn's side, it was far in a way Cam Thomas. Thomas finished with 36 points on 14-of-27 shooting from the field. He also went 7-of-13 from deep. What was so impressive about Thomas was his scoring surge that came late in the game.

Here are the Brooklyn Nets player grades following Wednesday's 120-116 loss at the Atlanta Hawks to open the 2024-25 NBA season.

The Nets declined to extend the rookie contracts of three eligible players by Monday’s 6 p.m. deadline, most notably returning leading scorer Cam Thomas. Injured center Day’Ron Sharpe and offseason pickup Ziaire Williams also were eligible but did not receive extensions, according to Post beat writer Brian Lewis.