The Nets fell to 25-53 following Sunday’s 120-109 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Heart and are closing in on the sixth-worst file within the NBA with simply 4 regular-season video games left.
With most sidelined, they dedicated 24 turnovers of their second straight loss to begin a four-game dwelling stand. They enter Tuesday’s matchup in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans as losers of eight of 10.
After that, they may shut the 2024-25 season this week with two dwelling video games in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks and Knicks on Thursday and Sunday, and a highway recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
“We knew that was one of their strengths, to pressure the ball,” head coach Jordi Fernandez stated of Toronto. “They did a great job, so credit to them. We have to be better. We’ll watch film and make sure our pressure release is better.”
Brooklyn has a 37% probability of leaping into the Prime 4 and a 59% probability of selecting No. 6 – No. 8 within the 2025 NBA Draft in June.
The Nets’ destiny shall be decided through the NBA Draft lottery on Might 12 in Chicago. They’re at present projected to choose at No. 6 (personal), No. 18 (through Milwaukee), No. 26 (through Knicks) and No. 27 (through Houston), in keeping with Tankathon.
One Nets loss down the stretch, or a Toronto win, will clinch the sixth-best draft lottery odds for Brooklyn. It has a 3.83% probability of falling to ninth or tenth through the lottery.
Nevertheless, the Nets have gone to nice lengths to be sure that doesn’t occur. Whereas Cam Thomas (left hamstring pressure) and Noah Clowney (proper ankle sprain) have lengthy been dominated out for the rest of the season, Nic Claxton (relaxation), Cam Johnson (decrease again contusion), D’Angelo Russell (proper ankle soreness) and Day’Ron Sharpe (proper knee sprain) have been all dominated out in opposition to Toronto.
Reece Beekman and Drew Timme grew to become the 18th and nineteenth gamers to begin a recreation for Brooklyn this season, tying a single-season franchise file for gamers to begin a recreation. Trendon Watford, Ziaire Williams and Keon Johnson joined them within the beginning lineup on Sunday.
Beekman, a 23-year-old undrafted guard, led eight Nets in double figures with 14 factors, 5 assists and three steals in his first profession begin.
“It’s a blessing for this to be my first year and have a start in the NBA,” Beekman stated. “That doesn’t happen a lot, so I’m just blessed to be in this opportunity. I just want to thank God for me being here, but it just took time to settle in. It’s a fast-paced game, I’m still learning in my first year, so just learning different spots on the court, learning where to be effective, and just trying to make a mark at both ends of the floor.”
Beekman, Timme and others will proceed to obtain alternatives in opposition to New Orleans, as Thomas, Clowney, each Johnsons, Russell and Sharpe have already been dominated out.
