標籤: Brooklyn

Brooklyn Nets They’ll have a chance to win back-to-back games for the first time in nearly a month when they host charlotte hornets On Tuesday.

However, they will be cut short when they attempt to do so. With Michael Porter Jr., Igor Demin and De’Ron Sharp sidelined indefinitely, the Nets also have Terrence Mann (left Achilles soreness) and Danny Wolf (left ankle sprain) out for the matchup.

Mann has played a vital role in Brooklyn’s rotation this season. The veteran forward has appeared in 62 games so far with 50 starts and is averaging 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists on .455/.358/.788 shooting splits.

Meanwhile, Wolf will miss his fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury. The rookie forward also missed the start of the season with the same ankle sprain.

Mann, Wolf injuries add to lengthy Nets injury report before Charlotte game

With Sharp sidelined for the season, Wolf had faced an increased workload in the Brooklyn Nets frontcourt prior to his injury. The No. 27 seed has made several encouraging changes during his rookie campaign.

He averaged 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 40.5% shooting from the floor in 20.8 minutes per game in 57 games this season.

However, with Mann and Wolf sidelined, rookie guard Drake Powell and two-way forward Cheney Johnson should see increased minutes against Charlotte.

Brooklyn snapped a 10-game losing streak by defeating the Sacramento Kings 116-99 at Barclays Center on Sunday.

Since his first foray into online journalism in 2019, Peter Okereke has written widely on entertainment, politics and pop… More about Peter Okereke

The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed Malachi Smith to a second 10-day contract, the team announced Wednesday. Smith appeared in six games during his first 10-day contract after spending most of the season with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.

The former Gonzaga guard averaged 6.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 19.5 minutes per game during the stretch. He shot 15 of 30 from the field and 5 of 10 from three.

Smith scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field with four assists and 3-of-3 from three during Brooklyn’s 126-122 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

Malachi Smith returns to Nets on second 10-day contract after breakout performance

Smith spent the last two seasons with the G League affiliates of the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 7.0 assists on .510/.416/.772 shooting splits in 29 appearances with the Long Island Nets this year before an NBA call-up.

Smith’s new 10-day contract will last through the Nets’ next five games, at which point the rebuilding team will have five games remaining on its schedule. The 26-year-old should get ample opportunities to prove his worth during his new deal.

Michael Porter Jr., Egor Demin and Deron Sharp are out with injuries. Brooklyn has been offering Smith and its two-way players extended minutes in recent games as the team vie for the top draft selection.

The Nets will conclude a four-game road trip with games against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.

The Brooklyn Nets rookie is getting extended minutes during the final stretch of the season after the team was eliminated from postseason contention. Ben Saraf has seen the biggest increase in workload during recent games.

Saraf has struggled for most of the season. However, he has started to show his skills which led the Nets to select him with the No. 26 pick in the June draft. The 6-foot-6 point guard continued his encouraging performance during Sunday’s 126-122 loss to the Sacramento Kings, scoring a season-high 22 points on 10-of-20 shooting with five assists and two turnovers.

“I think I played pretty well. I got to the rim and made two [feet] “I felt like I was able to finish at the rim, just like the coaches wanted,” Saraf said. I mean, they didn’t have any crazy shot-blockers, so I was able to go all the way. [to the basket]”

Saraf was the only Nets player to score 20 points during the defeat. The 19-year-old has scored in double figures in five of his last six games.

Ben Saraf continues his encouraging performance with a career best performance

Saraf has averaged 12.3 points on 47.5 percent shooting with 4.5 assists and 3.0 turnovers per game during that span. Jordi Fernandez praised the rookie’s finishing and ability to limit turnovers as Brooklyn’s leading ball-handler in Sacramento.

Fernandez said of Saraf’s performance, “It was great.” Possibly one of his best games finishing at the rim. You can see it right there, I love how aggressive he was. Five assists to two turnovers. Our 30 assists resulted in only seven turnovers [as a team] Very impressive. So this is definitely a step forward for us.”

While Saraf was effective as a driver and facilitator on Sunday, he missed all five of his three-point attempts. The Israeli floor general is shooting 36 percent on just 3.6 three-point attempts per 20 minutes this season.

Sunday’s loss moved Brooklyn into a tie with Sacramento for third place in the draft lottery standings. The Nets now have two fewer wins than the Kings with 11 games remaining. They have one more win than the Washington Wizards in second and two more than the Indiana Pacers in first.

Brooklyn has matchups with Sacramento, Washington and Indiana on its remaining schedule.

It’s hard to be a Brooklyn Nets supporter these days as they remain near the bottom of the NBA. They are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Brooklyn’s ineptitude was on full display Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Barclays Center.

It soon became a one-sided affair as the Thunder exerted their power. At halftime, the defending champions were comfortably ahead of the Nets 60–24.

Yes, that is correct. 60-24. Even the man in the White House can’t claim it’s fake news.

Fans at the X were quick to roast the Nets for their low output.

@TGJC1979 said, “The Nets are spending nearly $154 million this season, and have scored 24 points in 24 minutes of professional basketball.”

@dbell983 said, “The Nets need to be investigated. 24 points at halftime in a real game is crooked behavior.”

@EVBettors said, “Bam Adebayo scored more points in his 83-point game in the first quarter than the Nets scored in the first half tonight.”

“The Nets are terrible. I hope they get the top pick,” @Heathh_hayesss posted.

@no_real_id commented, “Adam Silver’s NBA featuring the Nets vs. the Thunder, SMH.”

The Nets recorded their lowest production in the first half since the 1997–1998 season.

They were reportedly willing to trade their best player, Michael Porter Jr., in February as they were potentially aiming for a higher opportunity to get the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.

Brooklyn lost to Oklahoma City, 121–92.

Jalen Wilson led the team with 15 points and five rebounds off the bench. They fell to 17-52, including 9-25 at home.

The Brooklyn Nets-Portland Trail Blazers matchup at Barclays Center on Monday was a forgettable late-season game for many. However, for the Israeli basketball community, it was a night they will never forget. Trail Blazers All-Star Danny Avdija faced off against Nets rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf, marking the first time that three Israelis shared the court during an NBA game.

Avadiya got a strong reaction The 17,030 fans in attendance said they “felt like they were back in Tel Aviv” after the 114–95 Portland victory. The 25-year-old player said that there was a lot of tuning at home.

Avdija said, “I know there were a lot of people at home watching the game tonight. It’s amazing.” “It’s a big deal to me especially [since Ben and I] Grew up next to each other. Like 20 minutes away from each other. It’s amazing to watch him score and thrive in the league. Danny too… I was definitely surprised to see Barclays Center packed. It means a lot to me. I don’t have words to explain how much support he gave me and my teammates. I’m very happy to have this crowd behind me. I’m glad they saw us play tonight.”

Denny Avdija on the support he got from the Brooklyn crowd last night:

“I was definitely surprised to see a packed Barclays Center. It means a lot to me. I don’t have words to explain how much they supported me. I’m so happy to have this crowd behind me.” pic.twitter.com/tPyLgMwM71

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 17 March 2026

Denny! Denny! Denny! 🥹🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nOykrVQv2V

-Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) 16 March 2026

Avdija has had a breakout season, leading the Trail Blazers to the Western Conference play-ins. The All-Star forward has averaged 24.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 53 appearances.

Deni Avdija shares court with Nets rookies Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf in Brooklyn

Meanwhile, Saraf and Wolf are attempting to carve out roles with the rebuilding Nets after being selected No. 26 and No. 27 in June’s draft. Saraf said his relationship with Avdija began last year when his Ratiopharm Ulm team faced the Trail Blazers during the NBA preseason.

“Since then, we have been in touch all the time… it was great [facing Deni tonight]. “I was waiting for this game for a long time,” Saraf told reporters. “He is a great person, a very good friend of mine. especially with danny wolf [playing]Very. Three Israelis on the court at the same time. This was something very special… [Deni’s] had a huge impact [on basketball in Israel]. Everyone in Israel followed him throughout the year. Everyone was supporting. Israelis know how big a deal it was to have the first Israeli All-Star. it was very big. So, we are all very happy for him.”

Saraf struggled in his rookie season bouncing between the NBA and G League. However, the 6-foot-6 guard has played his best basketball recently, averaging 11.8 points and 4.8 assists on 53.1 percent shooting in his last four appearances. He scored a season-high 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting while dishing out four assists on Monday.

“[Ben’s] “Maybe this newbie is going through things like I did,” Avdija said. It’s probably fatigue, and it’s probably not knowing how to take care of the body, but it looks like he’s doing a good job. It seems like he is very tough and hard nosed. He knows how to play basketball. I’m always here for him, but I think he’s doing really good.

Wolf, who grew up in Illinois, became a naturalized Israeli citizen and played for the national team at the 2023 FIBA ​​U20 European Championship. After a breakout season at Michigan, he showed encouraging flashes as a rookie with Brooklyn.

Wolf averaged 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 54 appearances. The 21-year-old said he could “100 percent” imagine himself playing alongside Avdija and Saraf on the Israeli national team “if the opportunity arises.”

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez, who rose through the NBA ranks after coming to the United States from Spain, talked about the importance of Monday’s game.

“Yeah, it’s special,” Fernandez said. “When the U.S. and other countries outside of Europe can be represented here with three players, it means the world, and it’s a special day that everyone has to enjoy. And I think they already are… I don’t know Danny, but I’m sure he’s excited to play. I know Ben and Danny are. And it’s cool. This is one of the two times we’ll see it, and hopefully for many years to see how these guys move forward.” “Obviously Denny’s having a career year and getting better and better over the years. And it’s so interesting to see them play against each other.”

Josh Minott is attempting to carve out a consistent role during his fourth NBA season. The former Boston Celtics forward is making a strong case for an extended opportunity following a trade for the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets.

Minot had the best performance of his career during Brooklyn’s 108-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The 6-foot-8 wing kept the Nets, who were down more than half their rotation, competitive for most of the game. He made a post A career-high 24 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, 4-of-7 from three and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line with three steals and three blocks in 24 minutes.

When Minot was asked what led to the best inning of his career, he said, “I would just say my teammates.” “They were finding me at their cuts when I was open. I mean, I basically owe them everything. I didn’t really do anything that didn’t involve them finding me… I’m coming into a situation in the middle of the season. So I have to make a crazy mental shift. So for them to really help speed things up and help me understand who we are as a team — just our game, values, how we play — I mean, I would say that.” That’s everything. They definitely help guide me, and I’m looking forward to what else they have to teach me.”

https://t.co/fqqnByahKa pic.twitter.com/x6GBVVDoBo

– Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) 13 March 2026

Minot joined the Nets at the trade deadline from the Boston Celtics, who dropped his minimum salary below the luxury tax. The 23-year-old has performed well for Boston earlier this season.

Josh Minott’s heads turned during the Nets’ rebuilding audition

Minot averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances this season. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during the stretch.

The 6-foot-8 Memphis product, with a seven-foot wingspan and above-average athleticism, has impressed as a defensive playmaker. His promising three-point shooting and drive length at the rim offer an interesting two-way upside for the Nets team that acquired him at no cost.

Minot’s four made threes and six steals (steals + blocks) on Thursday were both career highs.

“I was looking forward to it,” he said of his performance. “But at the end of the day, I wouldn’t call it futile, but there is a goal. So overall, I don’t want to say I’m satisfied, but I’m quite happy with my performance… I’m just trying to keep that momentum going. I understand that they had a momentum before me, and I’m not trying to ruin that. I’m just trying to find a way to come in and impact the game. Just keep the team up, elevate the team and its values.” “I’m trying.”

Minot should have ample opportunity to prove his worth as the Nets increase their offensive aggression to close out the season. Brooklyn recently shut down Igor Demin and Deron Sharp for the season. Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (rest) and Zaire Williams (illness) also were ruled out against Atlanta.

The Nets have a $2.58 million team option on Minot for next season.

Thursday’s 108-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks felt like a turning point for the Brooklyn Nets’ tanking efforts. With Igor Demin and Deron Sharp recently shut down for the season, the Nets ruled out Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Nolan Traore (rest) and Ziaire Williams (illness) for the matchup.

When that wasn’t enough, he took matters into his own hands during the game.

Despite taking an 83–82 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Nets did not play their top two available players, Nick Claxton or Noah Clowney, for the entire final period. They even benched Josh Minot, who scored a season-high 24 points. Brooklyn’s closing lineup included two rookies and three two-way players: Tyson Etienne, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, EJ Liddell and Cheney Johnson.

As the game progressed, it became clear that the Nets would not allow themselves to win. They’ll have to take measures like these if they hope to come out on top in a historic tank race.

Nets increase readiness for tanking during tough loss to Hawks

Brooklyn’s aggressive tank maneuvers on Thursday were followed by consecutive wins over the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday and Monday. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez rode a veteran-heavy rotation to a 23-point comeback in Detroit, playing Michael Porter Jr. 39 minutes and benching rookies Ben Saraf and Traore. Despite the Grizzlies’ eight highest-paid players being sidelined on Monday, Brooklyn played most of its rotation and won 126–115.

However, Thursday’s loss signaled a philosophical shift in line with other tanking teams. For much of this season, the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and others have made extreme efforts to maximize their draft lottery odds, and for good reason.

The 2026 draft is one of the most talented in the last several decades, with three franchise-altering prospects – Darin Peterson, AJ DiBunsta and Cam Boozer – at the top.

These are the types of players the Nets had their eye on when they paid a hefty price to re-acquire 2025 and 2026 first-round picks from the Houston Rockets during the 2024 offseason. However, Brooklyn went soft last season, finishing with the NBA’s sixth-worst record and falling to the eighth pick in the draft, a mistake a rebuilding team cannot afford to make twice.

Nets owner Joe Tsai acknowledged this long before the season.

“We have a selection in 2026, and we hope to get a good selection. So you can guess what kind of strategy we will use for this season,” Tsai said.

The Nets still have an opportunity to put themselves in the optimal position to clinch the top spot. They have only one more win than the Wizards and Sacramento Kings, who are second and third, respectively, in the lottery standings, and two more than the Pacers, who are in the top spot. Brooklyn’s remaining schedule includes a matchup with Sacramento and meetings with Indiana and Washington.

Rotations like Thursday’s should become common for the Nets in the final month of the season. The potential gains this summer are worth it.

The Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded for the second consecutive game when they travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The Nets ruled Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Deron Sharp (left thumb sprain) and Nolan Traore (rest) out for the matchup. Ziare Williams (illness) is questionable.

The Nets recently shut down breakout rookie Igor Demin for the season due to a plantar fascia injury. The lengthy injury report comes after Sharp and Williams missed Tuesday’s 138-100 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Brooklyn benched veteran Terrence Mann during the game, playing recent two-way signing Chanie Johnson and trade acquisition Josh Minot in extended minutes.

These rotation changes were followed by consecutive wins over the Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, causing the Nets to lose significant ground in the NBA’s tank race.

Nets rule out several starters for Hawks matchup after back-to-back wins

Brooklyn was tied with the Indiana Pacers for second place in the draft lottery standings and within striking distance of the first-place Sacramento Kings last week. However, the Nets rode a veteran-heavy rotation to take on the Pistons on Saturday. They then played most of their rotation against the Grizzlies, which were without their eight highest-paid players, and led the way to a win on Monday.

The pair of wins dropped Brooklyn to fourth place in the lottery standings. Jordi Fernandez’s team has one more win than the second- and third-place Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards, respectively, and two more wins than the first-place Pacers.

Despite their recent wins, the Nets control their own destiny in the draft lottery race. Brooklyn’s remaining schedule includes two matchups with the Kings, as well as meetings with the Pacers and Wizards.

A loss in those games would allow the Nets to climb into the top spot in the odds for May’s draft lottery.

Michael Porter Jr. broke his podcast hiatus last week. When asked about the No. 1 rule change he’d like to see the NBA make, the Brooklyn Nets forward pointed to the league’s tanking pandemic.

Porter said on The Emily Austin Show, “They have to do something about this tanking situation. I don’t like that teams are intentionally trying to tank just to get a good draft pick.” “I think ruining the entire NBA season is no way to go. It’s not very ethical for the game. People pay a lot of money to see the best players in the world compete, and you want to see teams compete to their full potential every night, and when teams keep doing the same things they’re doing these days, it can be tough… I understand rebuilding teams, but I think there’s an ethical way to do it and a non-ethical way to do it. So hopefully that “They can change it, I just feel like the best players are on the field every night.”

After several intense playoff runs with the Denver Nuggets, Porter is experiencing his first rebuild this season.

Michael Porter Jr. urges NBA to fix tanking amid historic draft lottery race

Tanking has been the most talked about problem around the NBA over the past few months. The Nets are one of the third players in the league to have the top pick in the 2026 draft.

The decline in quality of play during the final months of the season has been a topic of discussion for years. However, the issue became acute as the trade deadline began this year.

The outcry from fans, media, and others led Adam Silver and the league office to predict significant rule changes the following season.

“We’re going to make substantial changes for next year,” Silver told Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, speaking on a panel at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. “I think that’s where I’m at – at one extreme, you could completely separate the draft from teams’ records. Just make the argument that we could take all 30 teams regardless of the outcome, which would completely discourage tanking. You could win the finals, you know, and get the first pick. But then there’s also gradation.”

Michael Porter Jr. is getting the night off during an important tank matchup following the Brooklyn Nets’ unexpected win over the Detroit Pistons. Porter was ruled out of Monday’s game with the Memphis Grizzlies for rest.

The night of rest comes after the Nets lost in a tightly contested tank race following a 23-point comeback in the second half against the Pistons on Saturday. Porter scored a game-high 30 points with 13 rebounds in the impressive win. He played 39 minutes, his most in any game this season.

The win, which snapped a 10-game losing streak, moved the Nets into a tie with the Washington Wizards for third place in the draft lottery standings. They are 1.5 games behind the second-place Indiana Pacers and two games behind the first-place Sacramento Kings.

Can the Nets pick up their second straight win on Monday against the depleted Grizzlies?

Even with Porter and Egor Demin sidelined, the Nets will have a good chance to pick up their second straight win on Monday. The Grizzlies’ eight highest-paid players are on the injury report along with other players.

Memphis will be without Ja Morant, Zach Eddy, Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke and Taj Gibson on Monday. Meanwhile, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Taylor Hendricks are questionable.

If all of the above names are ruled out, the Grizzlies will have only eight available players against the Nets: Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Javon Small, Ryan Rupert and Jahmai Meshach. All of those players are on rookie contracts, minimum or two-way deals. There is no center among the group.

Meanwhile, both of Brooklyn’s centers, Nick Claxton and De’Ron Sharp, are available.

Kenny Attkisson knows the challenges of rebuilding. The former Brooklyn Nets head coach, now leading the championship hopefuls Cleveland Cavaliers, also knows what it takes to succeed.

While Atkinson acknowledged the difficulties of the Nets’ situation, he is confident The team would eventually advance, as their group did when they made the playoffs in 2018–19.

“You will definitely go through them [hard] moment. You like to be process-oriented and stick to it, but you’re going home after the game and you’re taking that L. It’s tough, especially when they start piling up,” Atkinson said before Brooklyn’s 106-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. “Everyone says, ‘Okay, don’t worry.’ Of course, if you’re competitive you worry. But that’s part of it, part of going through a rebuild and part of being a young coach. You’re looking at Charlotte right now, well, they went through it. that third year [in Brooklyn] When we were successful and reached the playoffs, it was almost doubly rewarding, because you go through these real struggles and tough times.

“I’ll never forget when we won the playoffs; it was like winning the championship. It was crazy, because you look back at the first year, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Will we ever win another game?’ [The turnaround] That will happen here because they have drafted really good talent. They have a good coaching staff and a good front office. It will break. You’re just waiting for it, like ‘When’s that going to happen?’ And you look at it like, ‘Is it ever going to happen?’… But they work so hard, it’s going to happen eventually with the talent they have.’

Kenny Atkinson explains whether it’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude during a rebuilding year like the Nets:

“It’s tough, especially when the losses start piling up… My first year here, I think we lost 27 out of 29. It was crazy, like, ‘Can we… pic.twitter.com/IOIruXRfkk

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 1 March 2026

The loss was the Nets’ eighth consecutive loss to Cleveland, their longest of the season. Still, a four-point loss against the fourth-seeded Cavaliers after Friday’s 148-111 loss to the Boston Celtics was a step in the right direction.

Nets searching for wins through challenges of rebuilding season

In another season of rebuilding, Brooklyn’s focus is not on wins or losses, but on development. While developmental wins are paramount, they don’t show up on the scoreboard.

Danny Wolf admitted accepting reality has been a challenge in the Nets locker room.

“Most people in the NBA come from winning teams, no matter what level,” Wolf said. “This is the first time I’ve been a part of it, I don’t say we’re a losing team, obviously our record is 15-45, but we are the youngest team in the NBA and there are a lot of valuable lessons. I don’t like to say you can learn from losing, because it hurts and it sucks, and losing as a contender is one of the worst feelings, but with such a young group, I think there’s resiliency and fight. [is important]. When you lose by four points to a team that you lost to by 30 points a week before, I think that points to improvement.”

The Nets are hoping this rebuild will produce similar results to Sean Marks’ first. However, the current team is a stark contrast to the groups Atkinson coached from 2016 to 2019.

Brooklyn was devoid of rookie talent during those years. The Nets now feature an NBA-record five rookie first-round picks. While this is a luxury compared to their previous rebuilds, it is also an unprecedented challenge for Jordi Fernandez and his staff.

Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of the difficulties of the situation in Brooklyn, “It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids who are just learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” “You have to, sometimes, take a step back and give grace and be patient. They’re learning what it takes to survive in this league, which is a lot. When you have a lot of young players trying to do that, it’s hard to have the connectivity or cohesion that it can take to make some tough performances in a given game or over time. But it’s also very rewarding when you have guys with character, good young players and hard workers. Jordi [Fernandez] You have done a great job. You see the competition every night. You just have to live with it.

Mitch Johnson when asked how challenging he thinks it will be to develop five rookies for the Nets:

“It’s hard to ask one 19-year-old boy to help another 19-year-old boy. It’s like asking a group of kids learning to swim to make sure the other one doesn’t drown.” pic.twitter.com/dOFqkdPDpf

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 26 February 2026

The Nets have done their best to control the development of their rookies – Igor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Wolf. Apart from Demin, all of them have spent a long time in the G League. Each has been an encouraging addition to Brooklyn’s rotation, providing encouragement to the team’s brass.

The Nets’ 15-45 record puts them in prime position to add a star-level draft pick to their young core this summer. While draft status would remain the main story in the team’s last 22 games, Fernandez was adamant that his team would compete until the final buzzer of the season.

“The record is what it is. It is a reality, and we are well aware of it,” Fernandez said. “And at the same time, we don’t like it. Hopefully, everybody feels the same way, and that’s what our players do: They show up every day and work. It’s not pulling teeth, it’s not uncomfortable, it’s not a bad feeling. So it’s all good. Coming here and feeling like we can go against anybody should be very important. If you’re up 10, you want to be up 20. If you’re down 20, you Wanting that to be down to 10. Those things have to matter. We don’t have to flip a switch and suddenly we’ll be there.

“I like where the group is. The group cares, the coaches care, the organization cares. Finding our wins, we did it last year, we’re going to do it differently this year because it’s a different context. We really like where we are. We have a process and a plan. You can’t control everything because there are things that are [out of your control]But it is very exciting. And everyone should feel the excitement of the next step. Obviously, I want to win every single game, but to compete in these 25 and then play this summer, it’s the greatest summer of our lives.

Nolan Traore is finding his feet with the Brooklyn Nets. The 19-year-old rookie has impressed with his composure as the team’s primary ball-handler after earning the starting role. He put in another encouraging performance against fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama during Brooklyn’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

Wembanyama, who first met Traoré during the French national team’s preparations for the 2024 Olympics, spoke highly of his potential future teammate.

“[Nolan’s] Very young, and he was even younger when we were preparing for the Olympics in 2024,” he said, “and already, what I saw in him was maturity and the way he could control the game. And by the way, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. He has real guts, and I believe he is someone who will make incredible growth in his career.

Victor Wembanyama has high praise for Nolan Traore as he trains in the lead up to the 2024 Olympics:

“What I saw in him was maturity and the way he could control the game. And the way he could control the game, no matter who the opponent was. He has real guts. I believe… pic.twitter.com/rAr5i8lfj4

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 27 February 2026

Many considered Traore to be one of the top five prospects at the start of the 2025 pre-draft process. However, after an up and down 2024-25 season, he dropped to number 19 in the nets.

Nolan Traore impresses in starting point guard role in Nets’ rebuild

Traore struggled during his first NBA appearance and the Nets assigned him to the G League at the beginning of the season. After a highly productive extension with Long Island, the rookie point guard has emerged as the focal point of Brooklyn’s offense during the second half of the season.

Traore is averaging 11.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists on 44/30/76 shooting splits in 15 starts. The French floor general is the only NBA rookie to average 11 points and five assists during that span. His 6.2 assists per 100 possessions this season ranks third among all rookies who have played more than 800 minutes, trailing only Walter Clayton Jr. (6.6) and Dylan Harper (6.2).

“Nolan always believed he belonged,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “He always fights back, and he’s becoming the voice and presence that we believe he is. He’s not there yet because we also believe his ceiling is very high. These last 23 games are huge for him, huge for this group going into the summer, which will be the greatest summer of our lives.”

The Brooklyn Nets sent rookie forward Drake Powell to the G League in the first round on Friday amid a prolonged shooting decline. Powell, the No. 19 pick in the 2025 draft, was a bright spot for Brooklyn for a long time early this season.

The North Carolina product has continued to make a defensive impact at the NBA level using his seven-foot wingspan and elite athleticism. He has also been shown to encourage increasingly aggressive aggressive flashes. Powell averaged 6.4 points on 46.0 percent shooting from the field and 32.4 percent from three in 16.9 minutes per game in his first 30 appearances.

However, lately he has been struggling to find his rhythm offensively.

Nets send Drake Powell to G League, call up Ben Saraf amid extended slump

Powell is averaging 5.2 points on 35.4 percent shooting from the field and 20.9 percent from three in 19.1 minutes per game over his last 17 appearances. The Nets have used the G League to get extended reps from their NBA-record five rookie first-round picks throughout this season.

After struggling during the preseason and his first regular season NBA performance, the Nets sent Nolan Traoré to Long Island for a long time. After impressive performances in the G League, the French floor general re-joined Brooklyn and has since become the team’s full-time starting point guard.

With Powell in Long Island, rookie Ben Saraf could see extended minutes in the Nets’ rotation. Brooklyn called up Saraf on Friday after spending an extended period in the G League. Although he has struggled during his NBA appearances, the Israeli point guard has averaged 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists on .423/.373/.759 shooting splits in 15 outings with Long Island.

Josh Minot played extended minutes for the first time with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. While the Nets were thoroughly embarrassed during their 148-111 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, Minot surprised everyone with his play against his former team.

The trade deadline acquisition was one of Brooklyn’s only bright spots, posting nine points and two rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench.

“It’s just me trying to play basketball to the best of my ability,” Minot said after the game. “Being here I know a little bit about the enemy’s tactics, but overall I’m just trying to play as hard as I can for my team, my coaches and trying to play the Brooklyn way.”

Minot showcased his athletic talent and two-way versatility against his former teammates. The 6-foot-8 forward was comfortable making plays off the dribble, breaking down Boston’s defense on two possessions, leading to easy Brooklyn buckets. He also threw down a poster dunk over Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez early in the game.

Josh Minot looks very comfortable creating bounces. pic.twitter.com/WiPrHfWV3B

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 28 February 2026

Josh Minot looks very comfortable creating bounces. pic.twitter.com/WiPrHfWV3B

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 28 February 2026

Minot has impressed for the Celtics early this season.

Josh Minot impresses during first extended minutes with Nets after trade from Celtics

The 23-year-old averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances with Boston. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during that span.

However, he fell out of Boston’s rotation as the team got healthy. The Celtics salary-dumped Minot to the Nets in exchange for $110,000 at the deadline to get out of the luxury tax.

Minot played three games with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, before being called up Thursday. Jordi Fernandez hinted that the fourth-year forward could be in line for an extended NBA audition.

Fernandez said, “He played in Long Island, did a great job. We needed him to be in game shape and I think he took advantage of those minutes and now he’s ready to play here. So, very happy with him and trying to help him develop and see what we got.” “[Josh is a] Great personality. You can tell he’s been a teammate in the group for a long time, the way he’s blended in right away. He knew what we were about. I sat down with them in my office, and sometimes you feel like it’s going to be a quick conversation, and all of a sudden, we’re talking for about 20-30 minutes, and it was cool getting to know these guys. The reality of the NBA, sometimes trades happen, and it can be weird, but it’s part of it. And he’s done a great job of trying to be a part of it [here] right away.”

With the Nets tanking, Minot should continue to see heavy minutes as the season progresses. He has a $2.6 million team option for 2026–27.

Tuesday’s Brooklyn Nets-Dallas Mavericks matchup at Barclays Center is in question because of a historic blizzard that hit the Northeast.

Following Sunday’s loss to the Hawks, the Nets’ plane will remain grounded in Atlanta until Monday, according to league sources. Brooklyn plans to fly to New York on Tuesday morning, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are stuck in Indianapolis after defeating the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.

Blizzard traps Nets, Mavericks out of New York ahead of matchup in Brooklyn

Tuesday’s matchup will have significant implications for the NBA’s tank race.

After four consecutive losses, the Nets (15-41) have regained sole possession of third place in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and two behind the second-place Indiana Pacers (15-43) in the loss column. The New Orleans Pelicans (16-42) and Washington Wizards (16-40) are in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dallas is also fighting for a top 10 spot. The Mavericks had lost 10 consecutive games before Sunday’s win over the Pacers. Due to a leg injury, Cooper has not been able to play in the last three matches of the flag team.

Dallas currently sits seventh in the lottery standings, 1.5 games ahead of the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies and 2.5 games behind the sixth-place Utah Jazz.

There are conflicts at the end of the game, and then a complete meltdown. The Brooklyn Nets fell into the latter category during Sunday’s 115-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Jordi Fernandez’s team looked in control after taking a 102-91 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Hawks defeated the Nets 24–2 to end the game during their worst collapse of the season.

Brooklyn shot 1 of 15 from the field with five turnovers during the decisive period of the game.

“Unacceptable,” Fernandez said. “We played well, a very good brand of basketball, staying connected, defending, taking the lead as a team with the first and second groups… but we have to find a better way to close out games. I have confidence in the starters. I know how good they are, and that’s not what I want from them. We played a very good game until 5:30, and then it goes away. So, it’s tough because wins matter in the NBA. You have to compete and play to win. “It happens, and it didn’t happen.”

After a solid start, Brooklyn’s rookie backcourt of Nolan Traore and Egor Demin has struggled. However, Sunday’s collapse highlighted the late-game shortcomings of Michael Porter Jr. as the Nets’ No. 1 option.

Michael Porter Jr. disappeared during Nets vs. Hawks horror collapse

Porter posted 18 points on 8 of 16 shooting with six assists and two turnovers in three quarters. However, he was invisible in the final frame, going scoreless on 0-of-3 shooting with no assists as rookies Demin and Traoré handled most of Brooklyn’s on-ball responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Hawks star Jalen Johnson took the lead down the stretch, scoring 14 of his 26 points in the final frame on 6-of-8 shooting.

While Porter has long fueled the Nets’ offense, he has struggled as a closer. In 65 clutch minutes this season, the star forward has shot 12-of-38 (31.6 percent) from the field and 4-of-24 (16.7 percent) with two assists and four turnovers.

Porter’s limitations as a ball-handler and self-creator have been most apparent during tight games, when defenses are most busy and primarily switching. Without a high-level shot creator behind them, Brooklyn’s offense has fallen short when it matters most.

The Nets have posted the league’s worst clutch record (5-19) and second-worst clutch offensive rating (96.0).

After encouraging early performances, Traore and Demin also lost on Sunday. Over the course of three quarters, Traoré scored 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting with five assists and two turnovers. Demin had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting with four assists and zero turnovers.

However, the rookie duo shot 0 of 7 while committing four turnovers in the final frame.

“You go through experience, and you learn,” Fernandez said of Traore and Demin’s late struggles. “Some rushed shots and turnovers… you’ve got to learn how to stay composed. You’ve got to learn how to get everybody involved [the right] Locations, how to take good shots, and we didn’t do that. So that’s the next game.”

While Sunday’s loss undoubtedly stung Brooklyn’s locker room, it continued the team’s lead in a tightly contested tank race. After four consecutive losses, the Nets have regained sole possession of third place in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and two games behind the Indiana Pacers in the loss column, who are in second place.

If the season ended today, Brooklyn would have a 14.0 percent chance of finishing No. 1, a 52.1 percent chance of finishing in the top four, and a 93.0 percent chance of finishing in the top six. The third lottery slot cannot fall below the seventh pick.

Ziare Williams will miss his second consecutive game for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Brooklyn ruled Williams out of the match with the Atlanta Hawks due to personal reasons.

Williams played 22 minutes during Thursday’s 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Nets ruled him out of Friday’s 105–86 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to personal reasons.

Williams has played a featured role with Brooklyn’s second unit this season. He has recorded the seventh-most minutes on the team, averaging 9.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on .407/.313/.859 shooting splits in 39 appearances.

Ziaire Williams missing Nets vs. Hawks due to personal reasons

Ochai Agbaji has seen extended minutes in the Nets’ second unit over the last two games during Williams’ absence. The trade deadline acquisition recorded his best performance of the season on Thursday vs. the Cavs. He posted 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, three rebounds, three assists and one block and 3-of-6 from three in 28 minutes.

Nic Claxton will return from a two-game absence vs. Atlanta due to an ankle injury. The Hawks, who have lost four of their last five games, will be without Jonathan Kuminga because of a knee injury.

After three consecutive losses, the Nets have dropped to third in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and second in the loss column behind the Indiana Pacers.

After Sunday’s game against the Hawks, Brooklyn will return home for matchups with the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.

Ochai Agbaji is getting a fresh start with the Brooklyn Nets. Traded by the Toronto Raptors at the deadline, the former lottery pick has an opportunity to regain his form in Brooklyn during the second half of the season.

Agbaji took a step in the right direction during his first extended action in net. The 25-year-old was one of Brooklyn’s only bright spots during Thursday’s 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He posted 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block on 5 of 8 shooting from the field and 3 of 6 from three.

Agbaji finished with a team-best minus-four in 28 minutes.

“[Ochai] Very good job,” Jordi Fernandez said after the game. “He was ready to shoot. He still has to get used to the spacing, the rules, certain plays and defensive concepts. But I think he was great. He was ready; he fought. Physically and mentally, he was ready to go. Nice to see this.”

Agbaji had the best season of his career in 2024–25, averaging 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 50/40/71 shooting splits in 64 appearances. However, he fell out of the Raptors’ rotation this year due to a career-worst shooting slump (12 of 65 from three in 42 games with Toronto).

Ochai Agbaji struggling to secure long-term role after trade with Nets

While the Nets received a second-round pick in exchange for Agbaji’s contract, Fernandez praised the guard’s skills upon his arrival. With a 6-foot-5 wingspan, a 6-foot-10 frame and above-average athleticism, the former Kansas star has the tools to be an impact guard.

that athleticism was on display On Thursday.

Agbaji got Uttar Pradesh for this rejection

➡️ Watch Live on YES & THE @gothamsports App: https://t.co/sWMqNZ0hci pic.twitter.com/sqneGAEdL6

– Yes Network (@YESNetwork) 20 February 2026

His ability to put together a positive shooting night will go a long way in earning an expanded role.

“It felt good. It felt good to see the ball go in and get some rhythm with my guys and score some runs,” Agbaji said after the game. “Obviously, that was one game before the All-Star break, but [it was] Little minutes here and there. Saw this for the first time [extended] A few minutes to really get my form and go with them, and I’m excited. I’m excited about what we can do. The style we play is very unselfish and I’m that type of player. So I fit in.”

Agbaji will be a free agent when his rookie contract expires this summer. He is one of several players — including Ziaire Williams, Jalen Wilson and Josh Minott — fighting to secure a new deal on the back-end of Brooklyn’s roster.

The Brooklyn Nets have their sights set on the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. While four prospects – Darrin Peterson, AJ DiBunsta, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson – have separated themselves as the best, Brooklyn’s most likely landing spot is currently outside the top four.

Luckily for them, this year’s lottery is considered one of the darkest in recent memory. The Nets reportedly have interest in a breakout freshman point guard who is projected to land just outside the top four.

Draft analyst Corey Tulaba said on The Locked on Nets podcast, “According to what I’ve heard around the league, one name that’s really important for Nets fans to monitor is Kingston Flemings from Houston. I’ve heard that’s a name that the Nets have interest in.” “He’s been incredible this year. He was kind of an unknown, and he was also going to a veteran Houston Cougars team. So it was like, is he going to play? Or is he going to be a second-year guy? And he’s just blown the doors off. [this season]”

“Kingston Flemings is a name I’ve heard the Nets have interest in.”@koreetulaaba On the top draft prospect outside the top four that Nets fans should watch. pic.twitter.com/ZqhJgGbRi9

– Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 16 February 2026

Flemings, a 6-foot-4 point guard from Virginia, is the fifth-ranked prospect on ESPN’s latest big board. The 19-year-old is a dynamic athlete who consistently pressures the paint and is solid as a jump shooter, finisher and passer.

Nets showing interest in Houston’s star freshman Kingston Flemings

The Houston guard is averaging 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals on .497/.388/.840 shooting splits in 26 appearances. Flemings most recently scored 42 points on 15-of-26 shooting with six assists and two turnovers during a 69-65 loss to 12th-ranked Texas Tech.

Tulba, who took right tackle Egor Demin at No. 8 to the Nets in last year’s draft, was amazed at Flemings’ physical tools.

“His athleticism is crazy. Stylistically, he reminds me of what would happen if Derrick Rose didn’t look like a football player and jump like an Olympic gymnast? He’s still crazy athletic, but it’s more like his playing style. His first step is crazy,” he said.

What’s most impressive is that Flemings ranks ninth in the country with a 13.0 box plus-minus, according to Basketball Reference. He is one of five freshmen with a BPM of 13 or more this season along with Boozer, Wilson, Keaton Wagler and Allen Graves.

Before this season, only 11 freshmen since 2010–11 had posted a BPM of 13 or higher. Nine of them were top-three picks in the draft.

Some Nets fans may scoff at the idea of ​​selecting another point guard after drafting three in the first round of the 2025 draft. However, Demin (6-foot-8) has played off the ball for most of his rookie season and profiles as a jumbo, playmaking wing. Ben Saraf also has above average size (6-foot-6), which should give him positional versatility if he can develop an outside shot.

Nolan Traore, meanwhile, has shown encouraging flashes, but nowhere near the level that would prevent Brooklyn from selecting another point guard if he is the best player available.

Flemings is one of several point guard prospects who are projected to be selected in the top-10, along with Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. and Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr.

Tulaba said, “Egor is 6 foot 10 inches, Saraf is 6 foot 7 inches, and Nolan hasn’t proven anything close to the point where you don’t go to BPA.” “The problem with the point guard thing is it’s an absolutely crazy point guard draft. So if you’re not in that top four, there’s a lot of talent [is at that position]”