Empire State Review Team 
New York City — Brooklyn erupted in celebration on Friday night as the Nets clinched their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals with a decisive 112-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The win, secured at a sold-out Barclays Center, marks the team’s first conference finals appearance since 2003.
Led by superstar Kevin Durant, who scored 34 points, and rising star Cam Thomas, who added 22, the Nets dominated on both ends of the court. Head Coach Jacque Vaughn praised his team’s resilience after overcoming injuries and a midseason slump.
“This team has heart,” Vaughn said in the postgame press conference. “We’re not just playing to win games; we’re playing for Brooklyn.”
The game was a showcase of teamwork and strategy, with the Nets shutting down Philadelphia’s offense in the second half. Fans, many of whom gathered outside the arena to celebrate, chanted, “We want the Finals!”
Brooklyn now faces the Milwaukee Bucks in what promises to be a high-stakes matchup. Tickets for the first two games, set to take place in Milwaukee, sold out within hours of the Nets’ victory.
For fans like lifelong Brooklynite Isaiah Green, the moment is unforgettable. “This is history,” Green said. “We’ve waited so long for this, and this team is the real deal.”
