The Brooklyn Nets’ season officially comes to a close after winning two of their last five games this week and ending their season with a 32-50 record and out of a playoff contention spot. The Nets have had a rough season with a few bright spots, such as Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas, who were able to have standout individual seasons and be the high-scoring players for the Nets throughout the season. The Nets now look to move onto the off-season and see what can be built upon with the players they currently have and the players available in the free agency market/draft.
Nets rally from behind to beat the Detroit Pistons
The Nets defeated the Detroit Pistons 113 to 103 in a come-from-behind win led by Cam Thomas. The Nets competed hard against the Pistons after coming off a win against the Indiana Pacers in their last game. The Nets were outplayed and outscored in the first quarter when the Pistons had a 35 to 23 lead to end the first quarter and still held onto a 10-point lead after both teams headed into halftime. A two-point shot in the fourth quarter by Dennis Schroder began an offensive comeback for the Nets.
The Pistons were scoreless for the remaining six minutes of the game, which is what propelled the Nets to go on a 20 to 0 scoring run to come back from behind and win the game. It was thanks to great defensive plays, such as a few blocks by Nicolas Claxton and great shooting led by Schroder, to give the Nets the win. This win placed the Pistons at a 13-65 record and gave the Nets their second straight win.
For the Nets, Thomas had 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, Schroder had 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Mikal Bridges had 13 points. Off the bench, Noah Clowney had 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and Jalen Wilson had 10 points and 4 rebounds.
For the Pistons, Chimezie Metu had 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, Marcus Sasser had 18 points and 6 rebounds, Jaden Ivey had a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists, along with 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and Troy Brown Jr. had 15 points. Off the bench, Jaylen Nowell had 12 points and 4 rebounds.
That's a W! pic.twitter.com/Uughs0K7ZF
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 7, 2024
Nets get blown out in a loss to the Sacramento Kings
The Nets could not fare against the duo of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox in a 107 to 77 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Kings played with efficiency and high energy in fear of losing their playoff spot. The Kings held the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings on Sunday after the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves that same day. The Nets struggled against the Kings in their matchup, with Sabonis grabbing his 61st straight double-double of the season.
Sabonis now holds the seventh-longest streak of double-doubles in NBA history, beating out Elvin Hayes’ record of 60 straight games with a double-double from October of 1968 to February of 1969. The Kings played with a desperation that worked to their advantage, with the bench contributing to 29 of their 65 points and shooting 51.1% for the first half of the game.
While having a 78 to 64 lead in the fourth quarter, the Kings continued to play well and ended the game with a 30-point win over the Nets. The Nets fared no match against this desperate Kings’ team, however, the Nets’ rookies such as Wilson and Clowney were able to get some play and some experience that can hopefully carry well into the next season.
For the Nets, Thomas had 21 points and 4 rebounds, Wilson had 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Clowney had 7 points and 10 rebounds. Off the bench, TJ Watford had 16 points and 7 rebounds.
For the Kings, Fox had 20 points and 5 rebounds, Keegan Murray had 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Sabonis had a double-double with 19 points and 20 rebounds, including 9 assists and 2 steals. Off the bench, Trey Lyles had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, as well as 2 blocks, and Davion Mitchell had 12 points.
Another night, another tough Cam Thomas bucket pic.twitter.com/yPFJLILdYR
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 8, 2024
Nets grab a win in another rally to defeat the Toronto Raptors with help by Noah Clowney's 7 blocks for the night
Nets rally again to defeat the Toronto Raptors in a 106 to 102 victory. The Nets came off a loss to a Sacramento Kings team that was hungry to gain every win they could. The Nets showed a glimpse of their future after an excellent performance by Clowney, who had seven blocks for the night.
Clowney’s seven blocks made it the second most by a rookie, the first being held by Mike Gminski and Sean Williams with eight blocks. It was a close game on both ends, with neither team budging or creating a large deficit. It was thanks to great defense by Clowney with a block to Garrett Temple’s shot attempt that the Raptors were not able to tie the game at 102.
Schroder sealed the win in the final seconds with two pairs of free throws to give the Nets the win. The Nets are looking to give their rookies more playing time, being that it is the end of the season for the Nets, and the future might be looking bright for the Nets’ front-court. The duo of Clowney and Claxton can be a defensive anchor that the Nets would like to have, and having consistency by Bridges and Thomas at the offense could be a bright outlook for the next season for Brooklyn.
For the Nets, Cam Thomas had 23 points and 4 rebounds; Schroder had 21 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals. Claxton had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, including 4 assists and 5 blocks. Bridges had 11 points, and Clowney had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Off the bench, Cam Johnson had 13 points.
For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickley had 32 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and Gradey Dick had 24 points and 4 rebounds. Off the bench, Javon Freeman-Liberty had 12 points and 4 rebounds, and Jordan Nwora had 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Final numbers from the W 📊 pic.twitter.com/uw6A20YmwE
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 11, 2024
Nets fall to the New York Knicks in a close game to give the Knicks second place in the standings
The Nets lose a big lead to the New York Knicks in a 111 to 107 defeat. Coming off the win against the Raptors, the Nets continued the momentum offensively in their matchup against the Knicks as they outscored the Knicks 30 to 14 to end the first quarter. The Nets held on to a nine-point lead to end the first half, but the Knicks kicked themselves into gear and offensively dominated against the Nets.
The Knicks were able to go on a 13 to 2 scoring run led by O.G. Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, taking the lead and extending it to a nine point lead to end the third quarter. The Nets cut down the lead, and a driving layup by Thomas put the score at 107 to 109, with the Knicks leading in the final seconds.
A personal foul by Thomas led to a pair of free throws made by Brunson, sealing the win for the Knicks. This win for the Knicks potentially lands them home-court advantage in the playoffs, as well as a series sweep against their local rivals this past season.
For the Nets, Thomas had 41 points and 6 assists, Watford had a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Claxton had 9 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Lonnie Walker IV had 15 points and 4 rebounds, and Wilson had 11 points and 7 rebounds.
For the Knicks, Brunson had a double-double with 30 points and 11 assists, Josh Hart had 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, Anunoby had 15 points and 2 steals, and Dante DiVincenzo had 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Off the bench, Mitchell Robinson had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
ROOK RISING UP
😤 @NoahClowney pic.twitter.com/yzNghmSCdV
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 13, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers move past Brooklyn in blowout fashion and into the play-in
The Nets lost in a blowout to the Philadelphia 76ers, who are looking to land a playoff spot after being placed in the play-in. Despite being without Joel Embiid, the 76ers were able to take care of Brooklyn. The Nets took a one-point lead to end the first quarter, but the 76ers core were able to take care of business.
Led by Buddy Hield and Tobias Harris, the 76ers were able to come off their shaky start and outscore the Nets to end the first half with a double-digit lead. The 76ers continued to hold on to their double-digit lead, but a small scoring run by Clowney and Thomas put the game at single digits. The 76ers immediately fired back as Hield made three consecutive three-pointers to end the third quarter and put the lead up to 17 points. The Nets could not mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, and the 76ers gave Brooklyn a loss to end the season.
For Brooklyn, Thomas had 18 points, Clowney had 16 points and 4 rebounds, and Watford had 14 points, 5 assists, and 8 rebounds. Off the bench, Lonnie Walker IV had 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, and Wilson had 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey had 26 points, Harris had 21 points and 8 rebounds. Off the bench, Hield had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, Paul Reed had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, including 2 steals and 2 blocks, and Cameron Payne had 10 points.
With confidence 👌 @NoahClowney pic.twitter.com/6rZxC7MNMY
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 14, 2024
What’s next for Brooklyn?
As previously said, the Nets can now look forward to the offseason and the free agency market. The Nets, unfortunately, cannot look into the 2024 NBA Draft as they do not have a pick, having given it away in the disastrous James Harden draft.
Brooklyn can try and make offers this offseason to grab a star-caliber player or try to trade away Ben Simmons. However, this past week showed signs of a potentially brighter future for the Nets after great performances by rookies Jalen Wilson and Noah Clowney.
If these two consistently play well, along with the rest of the Nets squad, the Nets could be a good pick to grab a play-in spot in 2025. If the Nets can somehow lock in a superstar who can be a scoring machine like Tyrese Maxey or Paul George, the Nets could be a sleeper pick in next year’s playoffs.
Be sure to check out JerseySportingNews.com during the offseason for more Brooklyn Nets Coverage.
