The Brooklyn Nets seized a handful of wins to improve their record, and are at risk of losing a top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Defeating the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and Milwaukee Bucks improves the Nets’ record to 20-59 as the season is coming to an end.
The Brooklyn Nets still have a 14% chance of landing the #1 pick, tied with the Indiana Pacers, but are predicted to get the 5th pick in the draft, according to Tankathon.
Nets Win Over Sacramento Kings Breaks 10-Game Losing Streak
The Brooklyn Nets added one to the win column in a 116 to 99 win over the Sacramento Kings. It was thanks to 18 points off the bench by Ochai Agbaji that they dispelled their losing streak and notched a win after losing 10 straight.
In addition to Agbaji, Nolan Traore added 17 points, Drake Powell had 16 points, Noah Clowney had 15 points, and Nic Claxton had 10 points.
For Sacramento, Devin Carter had 20 points, Nique Clifford had 17 points, Precious Achiuwa had 16 points, and DaQuan Jeffries had 14 points.
The Nets had it going for them in the first half to help secure their first win after their long losing streak. A 23-to-7 offensive run between the first and second quarters set the tone for the game. While the Kings tried to rally with a 10-to-6 scoring run in the fourth quarter, the offense only cut the lead to nine points and failed to mount a comeback to take the lead.
The defense played a significant part in the win as well, with Brooklyn allowing 26.7% from three-point range and forcing nine turnovers.
While fans expected a loss, the Kings are not much better than the Nets, so the win was almost guaranteed. The win brought good vibes and energy among the players, and an occasional win was good for team morale. While the tank is the primary goal, the occasional win will always benefit team chemistry.
Charlotte Hornets Put Brooklyn Back in Losing Column
Brooklyn’s win was short-lived as the Charlotte Hornets dominated the Nets in a 117- 86 win. It was Brandon Miller’s 25 points, along with Miles Bridges’ 19 points, that advanced Charlotte towards the win.
Multiple Hornets had strong performances, including Moussa Diabate with a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, and LaMelo Ball with 14 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds.
For the Nets, it was Josh Minott who led with 14 points. The Nets were outmatched by Charlotte, trailing 35-18, with the Hornets shooting 54.5% from the field and 40% from the 3-point line in the first quarter.
While the Nets did try to fight back and cut their deficit, it was not enough, and their momentum was squashed after the second quarter. Brooklyn was unable to capitalize or be competitive against the Hornets, resulting in a loss.
The Nets are nearing the season’s end, and any loss will benefit them at this point. The loss to Charlotte was necessary, and while Minott put up a decent performance, the Nets were out of the game by halftime.
Atlanta Hawks Soar Through Brooklyn For Fourth Straight Win
The Atlanta Hawks surged to their fourth straight win in a 141 to 107 win over the Brooklyn Nets. It was CJ McCollum with 25 points and seven assists that brought Atlanta to its 18th win in 20 games.
McCollum was unstoppable on offense, shooting 8 of 12 from the field and hitting 4-of-7 attempted three-pointers. In addition to McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 21 points, Jalen Johnson had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Onyeka Okongwu had 15 points.
For the Nets, Claxton had 15 points, and Malachi Smith had 15 points.
The Hawks were running hot from the get-go, scoring the first ten points of the game, with their momentum carrying them to a near 20-point lead in the first quarter.
By halftime, Atlanta was up 71-55. There was no coming back for Brooklyn as they took the loss in stride, adding another to their losing column and bringing them closer to a top draft pick.
The loss was beneficial for Brooklyn, as it inches them closer to a top-three pick in the draft. Fans are now expecting multiple straight losses that could bring them a top pick, but they must hope that the tank will be worth it down the line.
Brooklyn Gets Back on Win Column With a ‘W’ Over Washington Wizards
The Brooklyn Nets had themselves another win this past week in a 121 to 115 victory over the Washington Wizards. It was Traore’s 23 points and five 3-pointers, along with seven assists, that brought Brooklyn towards the win. Jalen Wilson had 19 points for Brooklyn.
The Washington Wizards are also on their road to tanking for a top pick as well. The Wizards have lost 22 of their last 23 games, and the loss to the Brooklyn Nets makes it their sixth straight loss.
For the Wizards, Will Riley had 30 points, Jamir Watkins had 20 points, Julian Reese had a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds, Anthony Gill had 17 points, and Bub Carrington had 13 points.
For Brooklyn, both EJ Liddell and Minott had 15 points each, Powell had 13 points, and Agbaji had 12 points.
The Wizards were close to victory after a three-pointer by Watkins to give them a four-point lead. However, an 8-0 offensive run by the Nets gave them the momentum they needed to finish the game with a win. The Wizards tried to fight back with a three-pointer, but back-to-back 3-pointers by Traore put the game away for the Nets.
The Nets had a tough matchup for their tanking. The Wizards are two games behind the Nets for the top lottery pick, thus having higher odds in the draft.
The Nets can hope to lose the rest of the way with only a handful of games remaining to hopefully secure a top three lottery pick in this year’s draft.
Brooklyn Squeezes Out A Close Win Against Milwaukee Bucks
The Brooklyn Nets managed to grab a close win against the Milwaukee Bucks in a 96 to 90 victory on Tuesday. It was Liddell who scored a career-high 21 points that helped lead Brooklyn to its second straight victory.
Along with Liddell, Ben Saraf added 19 points, and Powell and Smith both had 11 points. Tuesday’s win not only makes it Brooklyn’s second straight win, but the third win of their last five games.
For Milwaukee, AJ Green had 20 points, Taurean Prince had 16 points, Cormac Ryan had 14 points, and Jericho Sims had 12 points.
It was close throughout the game, with the Nets leading by single digits throughout the second and third quarters. The Nets were able to extend their lead to double digits early in the fourth quarter, but Milwaukee fought back and cut the deficit to one after a three-pointer by Prince. The Nets maintained their lead for the remainder of the period, securing the win.
With the win against Milwaukee, the Nets are at risk of losing their chances of a top-three pick. While a top-five pick is still good, the coveted top-three is what is important for this franchise’s success. Fans can only hope the Nets can lose these remaining games for a chance to secure that top-three pick in the draft.
What’s Next For The Nets
As previously mentioned, the Nets are at risk of losing a top-three pick in the draft. Brooklyn must lose these remaining games with only three games left in the season. Losing these next three games, especially against the Indiana Pacers, may mean the difference between getting a franchise player or getting low odds and becoming ineligible for that top three pick.
