Game Recap
By Brian Mahoney, Associated Press
BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Brooklyn's back in pro sports, and the Nets insisted on a triumphant return.

So, coach Avery Johnson sent All-Star point guard Deron Williams back on the floor with about 3 1/2 minutes left to help the Nets close out a 98-88 victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday night in the first basketball game at the Barclays Center.

Most starters, certainly players of Williams' caliber, would be on the bench for good by that stage of a preseason game. But Johnson wanted the victory, even catching Williams off guard when he told the Olympian to go back in.

"I just thought it was important," Johnson said. "I thought it was nice that our fans would go home with a good feeling about our team."

Read Brian Mahoney's full AP Game Recap on NBA.com.

Postgame Interviews

Notes
C Brook Lopez led the Nets in scoring and rebounds for a second straight game, tallying an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double...Backup C Andray Blatche, playing against his former team for the first time, posted 16 points (8-13 FGs) and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes...Coach Avery Johnson sought to view combinations involving starting 2-guard Joe Johnson, playing the veteran 37 1/2 minutes, often alongside four substitutes. Joe Johnson posted 14 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists...G C.J. Watson again impacted the game off the bench, with 9 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals in 26 1/2 minutes...G Deron Williams led the Nets with 9 assists, and F Kris Humphries blocked three shots.