The Nets played the dominant Bucks tough through three-plus quarters on Wednesday night, despite Jacque Vaughn sitting starters Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Johnson, and Nic Claxton after Tuesday’s win over the Pistons.
But Milwaukee eventually pulled away for a 22-point win after Vaughn sat more of his regulars down the stretch, including Mikal Bridges, who was limited to just 12 minutes and didn’t play the entire fourth quarter.
Bridges, like many Nets fans, clearly wasn’t happy about the decision after the game.
“Didn’t like the choice and whatever that was,” Bridges said, via Zach Braziller of the New York Post. “But it’s whatever. Definitely was not a fan.”
Vaughn defended his decision to reporters after the game.
“Mikal played 40 minutes last night,” Vaughn said. “The thought was it wouldn't be wise of me to continue and go down this path in the game and then have him play 40 minutes again. So you have those decisions in the course of the game.
“I'm not sure I sat down tonight. I coach from the beginning of the game to the end of the game. That's what you sign up for. I have too much respect for the dudes that suit up and put their body on the line, and the competition level, to even mention the word exhibition. Any guy could have ended their career tonight by one play. And so, I treat it as such.”