Nets’ Ziaire Williams pulls off big performance in return to Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ziaire Williams left Memphis as a castoff, a salary dump sent to Brooklyn. He came back victorious, leading the Nets to a 119-106 win on Wednesday.

“Oh, man, it feels great. I wanted this one bad, man,” Williams said. “It was a weird feeling just being out there on the other side. It’s still all love, yeah, miss those guys. But nah, I was definitely happy I was able to talk some smack and more importantly get the win.”

Williams had 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, and had a career-high four steals — turning three of them into fast break dunks and the fourth into an assist on Dennis Schroder’s huge 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

“I’m happy for him, because I know how it feels to come back to a place that you’ve been for a while, and he’s no longer part of this club here. He made a statement, and I’m happy for him,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “He played really, really, really hard. He made winning play after winning play after winning play. And that’s all I can say, he was a big part of this win.”

Williams had been a 2021 lottery pick for Memphis, but was traded to the Nets due to a shaky jumper.

But he’s 9-for-16 from 3-point range so far this season and his defense has been key.

“Yeah, it’s always … we always want to win against a team when you just got traded from that team and you play against your old team. We take that seriously and we got that win for us as well,” Schroder said. “But he is just bringing the effort, the energy on the defensive end. He’s one of the best defenders in this league.”

Schroder scored a Nets career-high 33 points. The guard is the first player in franchise history with 25 or more points, five or more assists and five or more 3-pointers in three straight games.

Second-year wing Jalen Wilson had 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting, seven rebounds and finished a career-best +25.

The Nets forced 22 turnovers, scoring 31 points off turnovers.

Ben Simmons returned to the lineup after sitting Tuesday. He had eight points, three assists and three boards but committed five fouls in 24:31 in what is an ongoing issue.

Nic Claxton was rested on Wednesday’s second night of a back-to-back. Trendon Watford (hamstring) and Day’Ron Sharpe (hamstring) were also out.

The Nets have committed the most fouls and conceded the most free throws in the league, but improved Wednesday. They were whistled for 10 fouls in the first quarter but just 15 the rest of the night.

“First half we were in a good place, but we gave up 20 free throws. Then that second half, 44 points allowed, only nine free throws,” Fernandez said.

Ja Morant (thigh) and Zach Edey (calf) played for Memphis after being questionable.