The Brooklyn Nets’ tanking carries on as the Nets lost seven games in a row, but a record-setting performance by Egor Demin broke the losing streak. The rookies have had their growing pains, but are looking to shape up into a future core that can make some noise. Brooklyn has a long way to go, but All-Star level performances by Michael Porter Jr. and the rapid development of the young rookies have made Brooklyn an overall fun team to watch despite tanking the season away. The Nets now hold a 13-34 record and are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Brooklyn Brings Celtics To Double OT
The Brooklyn Nets took the Boston Celtics to double overtime in a 130 to 126 loss. The game reached its first overtime thanks to a putback dunk by Nic Claxton with about 1.9 seconds left. It was a three-pointer by Hugo Gonzalez with 0.4 seconds left on the clock during the first overtime to send the game into its second OT.
The Celtics took the second overtime to put the pedal to the metal and refused to look back, never trailing throughout the period. It was two three-pointers by Anfernee Simons and Sam Houser that put the game out of reach, and their defense held strong in the final two minutes to win.
For Boston, it was Payton Pritchard leading the way with 32 points, with Jaylen Brown behind him with 27 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds for a triple-double. Brown earned his fifth career triple-double after grabbing three rebounds in the second overtime period, which helped contribute to the win for Boston.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 30 points, and Nolan Traore reached his career high with 21 points. The Nets battled hard and closely against a top East team after coming from a destructive loss to the New York Knicks in their last game.
Nolan Traore had himself a breakout game and nearly took down the 2nd-place team in the East. Despite the loss, there were multiple positives, especially in Traore. He had great rim pressure, good defense, and hustled during every rebound. He looks to have a high ceiling on both ends of the floor and has the chops to be a prominent piece in the Nets’ future.
Hollywood Lights Too Bright For The Nets
The Los Angeles Clippers built themselves an insurmountable lead to beat the Brooklyn Nets 126 to 89. The Clippers showed no signs of stopping on offense when they led by 24 points in the first quarter, and later extended their lead to 38 by halftime. The Clippers maintained their lead for the entirety of the game and were up 98 to 66 going into the final period.
Kawhi Leonard had 28 points for the Clippers, scoring 21 in the first half. Behind him was James Harden with 19 points, John Collins with 18 points, Jordan Miller with 16 points, and Ivica Zubac with a double-double, 11 points and 10 rebounds.
For the Nets, Danny Wolf had 14 points, and Egor Demin had 12 points. The Nets had a shooting slump, shooting 28% from the field in the first half and finishing at 34% overall, including 21% from the three-point line.
While the Nets were expecting a loss, another lopsided loss was not a good look. Although it was a tough defensive assignment for four NBA rookies, they gained experience and playing time, and the defense should improve in the offseason.
The Nets couldn’t get the ball rolling and just kept taking three-pointers despite an off night. It was a rough night overall for the Nets, and they hope to learn from it moving forward.
Things Get Heated In Phoenix In Close Loss
Tensions flared between the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets in a 106 to 102 loss on Tuesday. The scuffle started after Royce O’Neale stole the ball, prompting players from both sides to scramble for it. Dillon Brooks wrestled the ball away from Nets’ Ziaire Williams after the whistle was blown, leading to a push by Nets’ Egor Demin to Brooks. Both teams started getting at each other as coaches from both sides tried to cool the situation down.
Mark Williams had 27 points for the Suns, with Brooks behind with 26 points, and Grayson Allen had 18 points. Allen replaced Devin Booker after missing his second straight game due to a right ankle injury.
Porter Jr. had a season-high of 36 points for Brooklyn, with Demin behind with 15 points. Porter Jr. was practically the sole offense for Brooklyn as he had half of the Nets’ made baskets midway through the third quarter.
The Nets surged back in the fourth quarter after being down 10, going on a 19 to 5 run to lead 100 to 96 in the final minutes. Williams responded with urgency for Phoenix after scoring four points, with Allen tying the game at 102 to keep the game close.
The team’s camaraderie is a positive for Brooklyn. The losses come and go, but the scuffle showed the Nets’ chemistry has grown. Though a scuffle is not good for either team, the Nets were able to have each other’s backs and protect one another.
Ben Saraf has been a concern for many fans, as he has not been performing well over the past few games. With at least 15 minutes of playing time against the Clippers and Suns, he only had six and three points, respectively. Saraf looks like someone the Nets may let go by next year if he fails to step it up, either this season or next.
Nets Fall to Nuggets In Porter Jr.’s Return To Denver Since Trade
The Nets could not topple the Denver Nuggets in their recent matchup, falling 107-103 on Thursday. The Nets did surge in the second half after cutting down a 15-point deficit, trailing by only 3 points heading into the fourth quarter.
It was a steal and layup by Porter Jr. to tie the game up at 90. Traore gave the Nets their first lead since the early goings of the game, but Denver snatched it right back after a three-pointer and a pair of free throws by Jamal Murray to regain the lead.
Terance Mann put the game to within two points after getting fouled during a three-point attempt. Mann made all three free throws, but Jonas Valanciunas made a pair after a foul to put the game away for Denver.
For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray had 27 points, scoring nine of those in the final two minutes of the game; Tim Hardaway Jr. tied his season-high with seven three-pointers, finishing with 25 points; and Peyton Watson had 19 points.
Porter Jr. had a season high 38 points with 10 rebounds for Brooklyn. Porter Jr. also received his flowers during a tribute video after the first timeout. Porter Jr. was drafted in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Nuggets and was selected 14th overall.
Playing six seasons for the franchise, he helped Denver capture its first-ever NBA championship in 2023. He was traded to Brooklyn in the 2025 offseason and now leads the team in scoring.
The rookies and Porter Jr. had themselves good games. Porter Jr. is cementing himself as an All-Star-level player with his performance throughout the season, and it was a close loss rather than another blowout. The rookies showed out with good performances, and it was a “good loss” overall for the Brooklyn Nets.
Egor Demin Sets NBA 3-Point Record In Utah
The Brooklyn Nets broke their seven-game losing streak after a 209 to 99 win over the Utah Jazz on Friday. The Nets broke the losing streak after a great performance by Demin, who set an NBA rookie 3-point record. Demin was 6 for 12 from the field with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Demin set a record for his 34th straight game with a 3-pointer.
The rookie had some shooting concerns before the draft, but injuries may have hindered his shooting and lowered his college shooting percentage. Now, Demin is adjusting at the NBA level and has set a record.
The Nets had themselves a big lead in the fourth quarter thanks to an 8-to-0 run, but Utah didn’t back down as they were able to pull themselves to within two. Demin and Wolf responded with three-pointers of their own to bring the Nets back up 10 points, and maintained their lead for the remainder of the period to grab the win.
Cam Thomas had 21 points for Brooklyn, with Day’Ron Sharpe behind with 16 points, and Danny Wolf with 14 points. The Nets hustled hard with second-chance points, outscoring Utah 20 to 2.
For the Jazz, Keyonte George had 26 points, Brice Sensabaugh had 18 points, Kyle Filipowski had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Ace Bailey had 12 points.
Demin has become a sensation for Brooklyn, but there’s also good development in Traore as his effort on defense, ability to open up for Demin and Wolf, and overall hustle have been a treat to watch.
The Nets’ rookies look to be shaping up into a fun, young core with plenty of energy and potential. There have been learning curves and growing pains along the way, but the development has been looking good for Brooklyn, given their tanking season.
What’s Next For The Nets
The Nets’ tanking continues with consecutive losses, some good and some bad. The blowout losses have created head-scratching moments, and the close losses show the team’s potential. The rookies have been improving at a steady rate, with Ben Saraf being the standout, but not in a good way.
His lack of production has fans worried about his potential, and he may end up a bust if Saraf does not find a way out of his slump. The Nets are in connection with a trade for Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the aging superstar should not be the move for Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn front office must stay tuned in and focused on the future rather than trying to win now and looking at a superstar who may not be able to carry Brooklyn throughout the playoffs single-handedly.
Antetokounmpo is a generational star, but not the one Brooklyn needs, and it would cost the team many draft picks for a superstar who may not be with Brooklyn in the long term.
