The Brooklyn Nets fell hard this past week after three continuous losses, with four games behind the 10th place spot in the standings and further losing their chances at a play-in spot. They have now lost seven out of their last nine game, and the playoff lookout is looking more and more dim with each compiling loss.
While the Nets were not really expected to be a dominant postseason team this season as they are looking to rebuild, they have had their chances to take easy wins and get a play-in spot to give themselves some playoff atmosphere experience out of it. However, that playoff experience might have to wait until next season with the Nets struggling to get any sort of winning streak started. They are now 26-43 and are still stuck at 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
Paolo Banchero suffocated the Nets with a 21-point performance
The Nets were no match for Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic in a 114-106 defeat. It was Banchero’s incredible performance over the Nets that helped lead to the win. Banchero set the pace for the Magic, which the Nets were not able to put a stop to, and took a tough loss. They struggled to defend against Banchero’s offense and allowed 21 points for Banchero on six of six field goals.
The Nets tried to catch up to their deficit, which was brought down to single digits after a 9-0 run in the third quarter. Still, the Magic picked themselves back up and finished the job, preventing the Nets from getting on any sort of run of their own and securing the win over Brooklyn.
For the Nets, Cam Thomas had 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, while Mikal Bridges had 17 points and four rebounds. Dennis Schroder had 13 points, while Nicolas Claxton had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. Off the bench, Cam Johnson had 13 points, while Dennis Smith Jr. had 10 points.
For the Magic, Banchero had a near double-double with 21 points and nine assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. had 15 points and eight rebounds. Franz Wagner filled the stat sheet with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Jalen Suggs had 14 points and four rebounds. Off the bench, Jonathan Isaac had 11 points and two blocks, while Markelle Fultz had 20 points and eight rebounds.
Welcome back, Cam 😤 pic.twitter.com/VmWDdT8wZo
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 13, 2024
Pacers dominate second half to defeat Nets
The Indiana Pacers took control of the game in the second half in a 121-100 loss for the Nets. The biggest eyesore for the Nets in this game was the 21 turnovers for the night, leading to points off those turnovers and the Pacers further extending their lead throughout the game. Their sloppy play had the Pacers controlling the momentum on both sides of the floor in their way, leading by as much as 27 points in the fourth quarter.
While the Nets had a competitive first half with a small lead in the first and trailing by two points by halftime, they repeated the same mistakes they have been making throughout the entire season of failing to create momentum in the third and fourth quarters and letting the opposing team score relentlessly. Despite going only 4-26 from the 3-point line, the Pacers made up for it offensively with a dominant offense in the paint, which the Nets could not stop throughout the entire game.
For the Nets, Thomas led the way with 22 points and eight rebounds. Schroder had 13 points and five assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith had 12 points and four rebounds. Off the bench, Cam Johnson had 14 points and four rebounds, while Trendon Watford had 12 points and two steals.
For the Pacers, Pascal Siakam had a double-double with 28 points and 11 rebounds, including four assists and three steals. Aaron Nesmith had 16 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Tyrese Haliburton had 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Miles Turner had 11 points and seven rebounds. Off the bench, T.J. McConnell had 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Ben Sheppard had 11 points.
BACK-T👌-BACK pic.twitter.com/talyYgM0BY
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 16, 2024
Nets send game to overtime but could not take down the Spurs
Despite a valiant effort to tie the game up in the fourth quarter, the Nets failed to get a win over the San Antonio Spurs in a 122-115 loss. They could not put a stop to the rookie phenom in Victor Wembanyama, who had four points and two blocks in overtime to help secure the win for the Spurs. Wembanyama made a crucial play in overtime, blocking Schroder’s layup and an alley-oop to gain a one-point lead.
The Spurs further sealed the lead by making their free throws off of fouls to prevent the Nets from catching up. They nearly lost the game in the fourth after allowing a 17-4 run-in the fourth quarter with the clock winding down. A 3-pointer by Schroder saved the Nets and sent them into overtime, but they let the game slip away after the defensive play by Wembanyama. Despite a valiant effort by the Nets, garnering double-digit leads throughout the game, they struggled to stop the Spurs from chipping away at the lead and creating the right plays to win the game.
For the Nets, Thomas led the way with 31 points, five assists, and two steals, while Schroder had 19 points and seven assists. Bridges had 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Claxton had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Off the bench, Day’Ron Sharpe had 15 points, while Johnson had 12 points and five rebounds.
For the Spurs, Wembanyama had a double-double with 33 points and 15 rebounds, along with seven assists and seven blocks. Devin Vassell had 25 points and eight assists, while Tre Jones had 11 points, seven assists and three steals. Off the bench, Keldon Johnson had 25 points and five rebounds, while Cedi Osman had 10 points.
Locked down to end regulation 🔒 pic.twitter.com/pcaReAe5XB
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 18, 2024
Nets lose fourth game in a row in a loss to New Orleans
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Nets in a 104-91 loss, leading to their fourth straight loss. They could not get much done against a dominant Pelicans team who have been having a very successful season thus far. This win over the Nets makes it their second consecutive winning season, which hasn’t been done since 2009. They were abysmal on offense, shooting at a very low 36.9% from the field in comparison to the 50.6% for the Pelicans. There were no answers defensively against Zion Williamson, who was a force on the court.
He managed to grab 29 points, along with a couple of alley-oops that had the crowd shocked at his incredible athleticism. The Nets, on the other hand, still could not shake off their previous losses and added another one to the loss column on Tuesday night. Their chances of playoff aspirations grow dimmer as each loss compiles, which potentially will lead to the Nets organization looking to pivot their focus on improving the team rather than trying to land a spot at the play-in.
For the Nets, Thomas powered the offense with 25 points. Bridges had 15 points, while Schroder had 12 points and five assists. Off the bench, Johnson had 10 points and four rebounds, while Day'Ron Sharpe had eight points, 17 rebounds, and two blocks.
For the Pelicans, Williamson had 28 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while CJ McCollum had 16 points and five assists. Brandon Ingram had 11 points, four rebounds, and six assists, while Herbert Jones also had 11 points, along with three blocks. Off the bench, Larry Nance Jr. had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Find the shooter, let him work pic.twitter.com/TH5D5zrfMD
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 20, 2024
What’s next for the Nets?
The Nets are currently digging themselves a bigger and bigger hole for themselves. They are further dividing the gap between them and the Atlanta Hawks in wins needed to have a spot in the play-in. They are currently four games behind the Hawks, and if the current losing streak were to continue, the number of games would increase.
If the Nets do not get things back on track and grab a few wins within the next week or two, it may be time to kiss their season goodbye before the playoffs start. Instead of the playoffs, the Nets can now shift their focus on acquiring talent through the draft and free agency and slowly build a team that can compete in the regular season and have a chance in the playoffs.
