The Brooklyn Nets officially close out the season with three straight losses to secure a top-three lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft. With a record of 20-62, the Nets place themselves at third place in the odds for a top pick, only behind the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers.
Fans worried themselves in the final weeks of the season as the Nets began winning a handful of games, nearly pushing themselves out of a top pick, but the Nets managed to lose the final three games of the season to secure the number three spot in the NBA Draft lottery odds.
With at least a third pick secure, the Nets can see themselves grabbing potential superstars such as Cameron Boozer or AJ Dybantsa to take their first steps into building a winning franchise.
Pacers Blowout Brooklyn Nets, Getting Them Closer To Top Pick Odds
The Brooklyn Nets lost in a blowout to the Indiana Pacers in a 123 to 94 defeat. It was a game for Obi Toppin with 26 points and nine rebounds to help lead Indiana to victory.
The Pacers did not let up for the entirety of the game after going up 31-14 in the first quarter. The Pacers led for the entire game, with Brooklyn unable to outscore Indiana in any quarter or cut the deficit.
Other Pacers players put themselves on the board for the W, such as Micah Porter with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, Ethan Thompson with 15 points, Jarace Walker and Jay Huff each with 14 points, and Jalen Slawson and Quenton Jackson with 12 points each.
For the Nets, E.J. Liddell had a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds, Ben Saraf had 19 points, and Tyson Etienne had 14 points.
The loss snapped Brooklyn’s two-game winning streak and put them back on the losing side. For the Nets to lose against Indiana plays a big role in their draft odds, as the Pacers are one of three teams with top-three lottery odds. The Nets losing to them inches them closer and closer to securing a top-three lottery pick.
Milwaukee Bucks Set Record In Win Over Brooklyn Nets
It was AJ Green’s record-breaking performance that helped the Milwaukee Bucks go past the Nets 125 to 108. Green had a career-high of 35 points and made 11 3-pointers. The 11 3-pointers set the Bucks’ franchise record of most 3-pointers made in a game. In addition to Green, Cormac Ryan had a career-high of 28 points, and Taurean Prince had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.
For Brooklyn, Etienne had a career-high of 23 points, and Malachi Smith had 19 points.
The Bucks were without their two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, due to a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise, marking his 14th straight game missed. Controversy arose when Antetokounmpo said he was healthy and ready to play, prompting an NBA investigation.
With only one game remaining, fans expect the Nets to lose their final game of the season to complete their tank. The loss to Toronto will guarantee a bottom-three pick for the Brooklyn Nets, and fans can consider it a successful tank season.
Toronto Sends Brooklyn Down To A Bottom-Three Lottery Pick
The Toronto Raptors promptly defeated the Brooklyn Nets 136 to 101, officially ending Brooklyn’s season 20-62 and a top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. RJ Barrett led with 26 points, Scottie Barnes had a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.
The win for Toronto clinched a playoff berth, their first in four years, and made them a fifth seed in the upcoming NBA playoffs.
Additional Raptors were up on the box score with Brandon Ingram scoring 25 points, Ja’Kobe Walter and Jakob Poeltl each putting up 11 points, and AJ Lawson had 10 points.
For the Nets, Etienne had 20 points, Liddell had 17 points, Chaney Johnson had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Ben Saraf had 15 points.
What’s Next For The Nets?
As the season officially comes to a close, the Nets can officially set their focus on a true rebuild. With the odds in their favor, the Nets are guaranteed a top-three pick and are likely to draft a potential superstar to help lead Brooklyn to a championship. Their first step this season is to secure a player like Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, or AJ Dybantsa.
Dybantsa is currently ranked first on ESPN with 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game at BYU. Darryn Peterson, ranked second, averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists at Kansas. Cameron Boozer, ranked third, averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.
Either of these players will be a boost for the Nets and propel them to franchise status. The Nets can hope to develop their franchise player and further develop the 2025 rookies, potentially creating a core for Brooklyn that could make them playoff contenders.
Regarding Michael Porter Jr., he reportedly said he would be glad to sign an extension with Brooklyn and make it his home. Porter Jr. staying with Brooklyn, along with the crop of young talent, could make the team a dark-horse playoff pick in the coming years if they land the right franchise player and develop their young core well.
