The Brooklyn Nets had a successful mid-December with a three-game win streak that the Golden State Warriors recently snapped. The tank season for the Nets is now in a bind as the Nets have scaled up the standings and lowered their chances at a top four pick for the 2026 NBA Draft. According to Tankathon, the Nets still have a 37.2% chance of landing a top 4 pick. On the positive, the Nets’ three-game win streak can give fans a glimmer of hope that the young core is meshing and could be a sign of good things to come sooner than they may think. The Nets are now 10-20 and hold 13th place in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn Begins Their Streak
The Brooklyn Nets kick-started their winning streak in a 96 to 81 win over the Toronto Raptors. It was Michael Porter Jr.’s 24 points and Noah Clowney’s 19 points that brought them to victory as the leading scorers. Egor Demin and Nic Claxton also put up double-digits on the board with 16 and 12 points, respectively. The Nets were up by as much as 15 points, leading 60 to 45 in the third quarter.
A scoring surge of 20 to 7 by Toronto put them closer to taking back the lead. Toronto continued its momentum in the fourth quarter, taking the lead. Brooklyn battled back with a 10-0 run, and three consecutive successful scoring opportunities by Claxton put the game away late in the fourth. For the Raptors, Brandon Ingram had 19 points, and Immanuel Quickley had a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists, but their efforts were not enough to get the win.
The rookies have gotten more minutes, and while the win may be jeopardizing Brooklyn’s chances at a top pick, it goes to show that the coaching staff is showing more trust in the young core they have now. Demin showed out with his double-digit scoring while playing 30 minutes. The steady development has been interesting to watch, and the wins are evidence that it is leading to success.
Brooklyn Nets Go Back-To-Back
The Brooklyn Nets extended to two straight wins after a 114 to 106 win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Porter Jr. did it once again with a 28-point game, with Demin behind with 20 points to give Brooklyn the win. Porter Jr. was lights out from the 3-point line, going 5 of 12. Demin also caught fire with a couple of 3-pointers to cut the deficit to single digits after the Nets were down by nearly 20 in the fourth quarter.
Brooklyn’s 17 of 46 from beyond the arc had a significant impact in their win against the 76ers. Joel Embiid had 27 points, Paul George had 19 points, and Tyrese Maxey had 13 points on 3-of-14 from the field. The 76ers were down by 12 heading into the fourth quarter, and a 10-0 scoring run by Philadelphia helped cut the deficit to help win the game. A pair of 3-pointers by Demin put the game out of reach, giving Brooklyn their second straight win.
The Nets’ defense has been lockdown recently, and it’s all thanks to coach Jordi Fernandez. For his ability to put out three rookies and shut down Philadelphia’s top scorer, Fernandez should get some praise. The Nets have shut down a team like the 76ers, and for it to be done by a very young squad shows that Fernandez’s system can work. The talent is meshing together, and it could give the league a run for its money once the team can fully figure itself out.
Cam Thomas Return Puts Brooklyn Up With Its Third Straight Win
Cam Thomas put a statement on his return in a 30-point game that helped bring Brooklyn to their third straight win. Thomas missed 20 games this season after going down with a left hamstring injury. Porter Jr. had a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with a 28-point game, along with four other players for the Timberwolves who were in double-digit scoring. Jaden McDaniels had 16 points, Naz Reid and Julius Randle had 13 points each.
Still, their scoring efforts weren’t enough to take down Brooklyn. During Thomas’ return, he played under 20 minutes and carried the offense, scoring 12 straight points in the third quarter. The Nets continued their offensive flurry as Day’Ron Sharpe scored six to end the third quarter, and additional points by Thomas and Danny Wolf opened up the fourth quarter. The Nets held on to their lead and prevented any Minnesota comeback.
With Cam Thomas back in the lineup, the Nets now have two offensive powerhouses. Porter Jr. and Thomas are putting up All-Star-level offensive numbers while also playing defense nearly as good as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s, showing that the Brooklyn Nets are more than their record suggests. The Nets are far and away from becoming the Oklahoma City Thunder, but their glimpses of greatness show excellent potential.
Golden State Defeats and Cools Down Brooklyn Nets
The winning streak came to an end for Brooklyn after a 120 to 107 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Nets were no match for Steph Curry’s 27 points and Jimmy Butler’s 21 points, which helped put a halt to Brooklyn’s winning streak. Curry was 8 of 15 from the field, and Butler missed only one of the 12 attempts at the free-throw line. Four other Warriors were in double-digit scoring, as Trayce Jackson-Davis had 11 points, Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton, and Will Richard all had 10 points each.
Porter Jr. had 27 points and Demin had 23, but their offensive performances were not enough to stop the Warriors. The Nets led by as much as 13 points, but a second-half surge by Curry helped the Warriors swing the momentum in their favor. The Nets fought back with an 8-0 run late in the fourth to cut their deficit to a four-point game. Things didn’t go in Brooklyn’s favor, as the Warriors continued to score on three straight possessions to put the game away.
With Jordi Fernandez trying out lineups, it shows that having a consistent lineup this early in a rebuild may not work. The Warriors figured out the lineup of Thomas, Nolan Traore, and Sharpe and took down the Nets in the second quarter. While the same lineup helped them beat the Timberwolves, it won’t always stop other teams.
Understandably, the Nets could not stop Steph Curry, a perennial All-Star, but they still have much to work on before they have a consistent lineup capable of winning multiple games in a row.
What’s Next For The Nets
The Nets have had a successful December, going 7-3, and have allowed the fewest points in the NBA for the month, at 103.1. The Nets’ coaching staff proves that their system works, but they were missing the talent needed to execute the system. The team is playing well together, and the rookies are developing at an incredible rate, with more minutes. The more exposure and experience that the young guys get, the faster they will improve. The Nets may be playing too well for their liking, just like last year. Fans can hope the Nets can get back to tanking, or see them potentially play for a play-in spot if the Nets push for it during their trade deadline decisions in February.
