Patty Mills’ epic response to trade talk in Lakers explosion

When the undermanned Nets needed someone to step up against the Lakers, they had to look no further than Patty Mills.

Patty Mills was back at his best. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

When the undermanned Brooklyn Nets needed someone to step up against the LA Lakers – albeit, arguably even more undermanned – Patty Mills answered that call.

Mills went off for 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field with four triples in 26 minutes off the bench to help lead the Nets past the Lakers at home in a comfortable 116-102 victory on Tuesday (all times AEDT).

The Aussie veteran’s performance comes in the face of trade rumours ahead of next week’s deadline, with The Ringer’s Kevin O’Conor revealing Brooklyn is “actively looking for upgrades” and noting Mills, Joe Harris and Seth Curry could all get moved.

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Mills has been forced out of the deep Nets rotation for most of the season, but on Tuesday, showed he’s still more than capable of stepping up when required.

Patty Mills went to work! 💪😤

He dropped 21-points, including 4 triples, in Brooklyn's big win over the Lakers.

Watch his best moments from the game. pic.twitter.com/VPWHrgdjpN

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) January 31, 2023

Patty Mills finished with 21 points off the bench tonight. That was his second-highest total this season. #NETSonYESpic.twitter.com/fhFMeagdFI

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 31, 2023

Patty Mills deserves some props for how he’s stepped up in this game. For a player who has rightfully fallen out of the rotation, he’s always ready and firing when needed.

— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) January 31, 2023

Nets lead the Lakers 106-96 with 5:27 left. Patty Mills, Day'Ron Sharpe and Cam Thomas have all answered the call as non-rotation guys tonight.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) January 31, 2023

Really good minutes tonight for the Nets off the bench from Patty Mills (17 points, 4 3-pointers), Cam Thomas (13 points in 13 minutes) and Day'Ron Sharpe (6 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists in 18 minutes) that have pushed Brooklyn back out in front by 8 early in the fourth.

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) January 31, 2023

Patty Mills is simply a good player to have on the roster. Right attitude and will never be afraid when his number is called.

— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) January 31, 2023

Patty Mills and Cam Thomas have been really good tonight. Good showing from two guards who haven’t gotten much run in January.

— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) January 31, 2023

Patty Mills was back at his best. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Brooklyn, who remains without Kevin Durant (MCL) and was missing Ben Simmons (knee soreness), was led by Kyrie Irving’s 26 point and six assists, while Cam Thomas also chipped in 21 points against the bench against a Lakers team that rested LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the front end of a back-to-back.

Thomas Bryant led the way Darvin Ham’s team with 18 points and nine rebounds, Troy Brown Jr. racked up 11 points and 17 boards and Russell Westbrook tallied 17 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists off the bench.

With it, the Nets won their second-straight game and improved to 30-19 on the season, while LA fell to 23-27.

Originally published as Patty Mills’ epic response to trade talk in Lakers explosion