The Brooklyn Nets have lost five games in a row in this new year, leaving them at a 13-26 record and 12th place in the Eastern Conference Standings. While playoffs are a pipe dream at this point in the season, the Nets’ fanbase hopes to further their tanking to get a chance at a high draft choice. With a plethora of draft picks for the Nets in the next few years, fans can only hope that the tanking of this season will lead to a brighter future in the next few years.
Nets Lose Out to Hot Detroit Pistons Team
The Pistons have been on a recent surge thanks to Cade Cunningham and Malik Beasley, but the same cannot be said for the Brooklyn Nets, who took a 113 to 98 loss, which extended their losing streak. While the Nets did show some fight and cut the double-digit lead in the third quarter with a seven-to-zero scoring run, the Pistons fought back and answered with a scoring run of their own that left the Nets in the dust. The Nets were without a majority of their roster, all out due to injuries, and were left with their young guys out on the court.
have a (career) night, @NoahClowney!
29 points 🪣 pic.twitter.com/qE3lprjrod
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 9, 2025
Without a primary scorer, the Nets struggled to get the ball in the basket, shooting 38.4%, while the Pistons shot 52.3%. Noah Clowney had 29 points, the most in his career so far; Nic Claxton had 14 points; Tyrese Martin had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Keon Johnson had 10 points. Tosan Evbuomwan had 13 points off the bench. For the Pistons, Beasley had 23 points, while Cunningham had 13, and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 10 points. Off the bench, Simone Fontecchio had 17 points, and Marcus Sasser had 15.
Westbrook and Jokic Make History Against Brooklyn
The Denver Nuggets had an insane night in a 124 to 105 blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. Both Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook had a triple-double for the night. Jokic had 35 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds; Westbrook had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Both Westbrook and Jokic are the first NBA duo to have triple-doubles in the same game multiple times in a single season, as they both have two.
CLAX SWIPE N' SLAM! pic.twitter.com/uj2YCZm3Nr
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 11, 2025
For the Nets, Keon Johnson had 22 points, Clowney had 14 points, Ziaire Williams, Claxton, and Ben Simmons each had 10 points. Friday’s game was Simmons’ first game since Jan. 1, when he was out due to injury. Off the bench, Tyrese Martin had 19 points, and Evbuomwan had 10 points. For the rest of the Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. had 17 points, and Christian Braun had 11 points. Off the bench, Julian Strawther had 12 points, and Peyton Watson had 10 points.
Collier Hits Game Winner in Overtime for the Jazz
It was a career night for Isaiah Collier as he hit the game-winning layup for the Utah Jazz in a 112 to 111 overtime thriller against the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets could not handle the pressure of the close game, missing important shots late in the fourth quarter. Martin and Claxton missed potential game-clinching baskets after leaving the Jazz scoreless in the game’s final two minutes.
backdoor cut for the JAM 💪@reece_beekman 🤝 @Tosan_Evb pic.twitter.com/4qIvdxymAC
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 13, 2025
This loss over the Jazz made it the fifth consecutive loss for Brooklyn. For the Nets, Ziaire Wiliams had 19 points, and Claxton and Simmons matched with 14 points apiece. Off the bench, Evbuowmwan had 22 points, Day’Ron Sharpe had 12 points, and Martin had 11 points. For the Jazz, Collier had a career-high 23 points, and Collin Sexton had 21 points. Off the bench, Brice Sensabaugh and Svi Mykhailiuk had 16 points each.
What’s Next for the Nets
While the Nets continue to struggle, losing these games may benefit them in the long run. Tanking away the season may put them at a higher chance of a high draft pick, so losing these games is understandable for its fans. The Nets are utilizing this as a throwaway season and a chance to get a higher draft pick choice with the more losses they take. With this current squad, fans can only hope their primary scorers successfully heal from their injuries and do not rush recovery, as it would be a waste to put out guys like Cam Thomas or D’Angelo Russell on the floor early when there is no benefit to winning.
