The Nets fell to the Washington Wizards 107-99 at Capital One Enviornment on Monday, marking their second loss to the worst crew within the NBA in as many tries.
Nevertheless, Brooklyn’s defensive id nonetheless shined via in spurts, because it pressured a season-high 15 steals and created 23 turnovers — 15 of which got here within the second half.
The Wizards entered the night time conceding a league-worst 121.4 factors per recreation, but Brooklyn couldn’t discover an early rhythm on offense for the second straight assembly — and was in the end held beneath 100 factors.
Washington opened the primary quarter on a 21-9 run when it beat the Nets 119-102 on Feb. 5 at Barclays Middle. Brooklyn fell behind 21-7 out the gate on Monday, prompting head coach Jordi Fernandez to sub out all 5 starters.
Killian Hayes acquired his second straight begin rather than an injured D’Angelo Russell on Monday. Keon Johnson, Cam Johnson, Ziaire Williams and Nic Claxton rounded out Brooklyn’s first 5.
The Nets discovered some juice operating with reserves Reece Beekman, Tyrese Martin, Jalen Wilson, Trendon Watford and Day’Ron Sharpe over the ultimate 7:01 of the primary quarter, however Washington nonetheless shot 57.9% and made six 3-pointers, placing Brooklyn in a 10-point gap via one.
The Wizards had been only a handful within the first half. They had been wildly environment friendly on offense. They relied on Jordan Poole‘s scoring and Bilal Coulibaly’s athleticism. They turned seven Nets turnovers into 11 factors, outscored them 13-5 in transition, and carved up Brooklyn’s pick-and-roll protection.
It was simply the third time Brooklyn has trailed at halftime in 11 video games. Nevertheless, a 10-2 burst to start out the third quarter turned a 67-59 recreation right into a 69-69 tie. Minutes later, certainly one of Williams’ career-high 5 3-pointers put the Nets up 72-71 with 7:14 left within the interval. That was their first lead of the night time.
In all, Brooklyn outscored the Wizards 28-18 within the third quarter and compelled 9 turnovers. It was the second-most turnovers pressured in any quarter this season, good for an 87-85 lead via three.
The fourth quarter was a shootout till the Nets ran out of ammo. An 11-2 run, sparked by Poole and back-to-back steals by Marcus Sensible, put Washington up 103-97 with 1:57 left. Brooklyn scored simply 12 factors in a fourth quarter the place it shot simply 17.6 %. Cam Johnson missed seven straight pictures to finish regulation.
Two of Brooklyn’s three losses during the last 10 video games have come towards Washington. It fell to 21-36 and stays in eleventh place within the Japanese Convention.
Williams led the Nets with 19 factors, 5 rebounds and three steals. Cam Johnson, who shot 0-for-5 within the fourth quarter, completed with 17 factors. Tyrese Martin added 15 factors off the bench.
Poole scored a game-high 26 factors for Washington.
The Nets will return to motion on Wednesday towards the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at Barclays Middle.
Initially Revealed: February 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM EST