Sometimes the schedule hands you a game that feels less like a test and more like a setup.
With their best three players all sidelined on the second night of a back-to-back, it didn’t take a genius to predict
how Friday night’s game was going to turn out.
While losing 119–99 to the Washington Wizards, the Brooklyn Nets shot 40% from the field and just 21% from beyond the arc while being out-rebounded 51 to 33.
According to Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn’s young players have the chance to turn tonight’s loss into a valuable learning experience.
“There was a couple of guys out, and that’s good because these new experiences are very good for everybody,” Fernandez said. “There are a lot of things that can be cleaned up and then we will have the chance to win games like this.”
While all but one starter reached double figures, the Nets didn’t have a single player score more than 15 points (but had four score 14.)
Brooklyn handled this same Washington team easily back in November, but they were simply depleted tonight and lacked both the offensive firepower and any real paint presence put up much of a fight.
Two Main Struggles Persist
The Nets rank among the league’s bottom ten in turnovers per game and 3-point shooting percentage, which provides a pretty straightforward explanation for why nights like this keep happening.
Brooklyn shot just 21% from beyond the arc compared to Washington’s 38, while also finishing above the league average with 16 turnovers.
Fernandez mentioned that while the 3-point numbers were rough, it could also be a sign of missed opportunities.
“A lot of people think ‘well you’re not making them’, but a lot of times I think maybe we’re not shooting enough,” Fernandez said. “If we shot between 35 to 38 [3-point attempts], I think we would’ve had a chance. Once you see one go in, it’s easier.”
He also pointed out that many of those turnovers came in transition, which kills momentum and puts the team in a poor position to get back on defense.
“You miss on an opportunity that you should have a higher expected point per possession,” Fernandez said. “I think those swings were big. That comes with experience.”
Noah Clowney had one of the toughest outings of his season and career, shooting just 15% percent from the field (2-13) including 0-8 from three. (Those are not good numbers.)
Clowney, along with two other starters, finished with multiple turnovers, which prevented Brooklyn from finding any offensive rhythm.
Solid Nights From the Rookies
Nolan Traore turned in the best performance of his short career, leading all players with a career-high five assists while scoring 12 points and shooting 57.1% from the field. He made all four of his free throws but didn’t attempt a three.
“I want him to take the right shot and make the right plays, he had a very good and efficient ratio,” Fernandez said. “I like the aggressiveness, he made winning plays at the rim defensively.”
Some of his weaknesses were still visible. His defensive struggles were on full display when Bub Carrington shook him off the dribble and knocked down a step-back three late in the third quarter.
However, one of Traore’s earliest concerns once arriving in the NBA was turnovers, and he finished with just two on the night.
Among the rookies, the 19-year-old point guard has arguably left the most to be desired this season, making tonight a meaningful step toward finding more comfort and consistency.
He wasn’t the only newcomer to step up.
Drake Powell also delivered one of his best games of the season, finishing with 14 points while shooting a very efficient 5-of-6 — 83.3% — from the field, including 1-of-2 from deep.
The North Carolina product showcased his athleticism after Jalen Wilson forced a steal and he finished with a nice dunk in transition.
Sharpe Steps Up
With Nic Claxton out for the game, backup center Day’Ron Sharpe stepped up in his first start of the season.
The fifth-year center finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. In games that Sharpe has played more than 20 minutes this season, he is averaging 10.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and three assists per game.
“I really liked how hard he played and how engaged he was,” Fernandez said.
Final Score: Washington Wizards 119, Brooklyn Nets 99.
Injury Report
Michael Porter Jr. was unavailable due to an undisclosed illness.
Nic Claxton missed the game due to personal reasons.
Cam Thomas did not play as part of the injury management program — aka a medically mandated back-to-back absence — for his left hamstring.
Milestone Watch
- Nolan Traore finished with a career-high five assists while logging 26 minutes, the most of his NBA career.
- Egor Demin is currently on pace to finish with 170 three-pointers this season, which would surpass the Nets’ rookie single-season record set by Kerry Kittles, who made 158 during the 1996-1997 season.
With tonight’s loss, Brooklyn has moved up in lottery odds. The Nets are now only a game and a half out of fourth in the lottery standings.
Up Next
On Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, the Nets will welcome the Denver Nuggets, who are also dealing with injuries to key players, including Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jonas Valanciunas.
While the Nuggets’ are missing several starters, Jamal Murray will be active. Murray is currently 18th in the NBA with 25.1 points per game while averaging 6.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds.
