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[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves preview: Thursday night hoops

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets are a few games away from the off-season while the Minnesota Timberwolves hope to improve their playoff odds.

A few more shifts to go. The Brooklyn Nets were in Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night and came away with a four point win. The team has been off since then so everyone got a chance to get some much needed rest and relaxation.

The opponent tonight is coming off of the wildest regular season games in recent memory. It took two overtimes and a dash of luck, but the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to survive a Nikola Jokic 61/10/10 game to hold on and beat the rival Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in an instant classic. The Wolves come into this game tied with the LA Clippers for sixth place in the Western Conference standings, but they have the tiebreaker.

Where to follow the game​

WLNY (Channel 55) on TV. Gotham Sports on the app. WFAN on the radio. Tip after 7:30 p.m. ET.

Injuries​

It was announced on Wednesday that Noah Clowney will miss the remainder of this season due to an ankle sprain. Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Day’Ron Sharpe, DeAnthony Melton, and Ziaire Williams are out. D’Angelo Russell is probable with right ankle soreness. Jalen Wilson is questionable with right ankle soreness.

Terrence Shannon Jr is out with a right groin strain.

The game​

Amazingly, this is the first meeting between these two teams this season. They play again a week from tomorrow in Minny.

For the past few years, there’s been an ugly between in Wolves ownership. Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez (yeah, that Alex Rodriguez) purchased the team from Glen Taylor, but Taylor decided not to honor it and everything got incredibly messy. It got incredibly personal and it looked as if the sale was going to fall apart, but on Wednesday, Taylor reportedly gave in and will sell his entire stake in the Wolves and Minnesota Lynx to Lore and Rodriguez. Minnesota basketball is in a great space right now, and it’s up to Lore and Rodriguez to keep the good times going.

The center matchup should be interesting. The Nets know what they have in Nic Claxton, so this month will be focused on figuring out what they have in Drew Timme. He’s continued to stack good days together and as Brooklyn figures out what their Draft position will be, they’ll have to decide what path they want to go down. In the meantime, Timme and Claxton will be matched up with Rudy Gobert. For a player who’s probably heading to the Hall of Fame, he doesn’t get any of the respect that usually comes with that.

The Nets might be focused on their Draft position, but this is a game the Wolves have to have. Derek Hanson of Canis Hoopus explains:

So here’s the reality: Minnesota cannot let up now. There are six games left. They have two against Brooklyn, matchups with tanking Philly and Utah, a huge one in Memphis, a sneaky-tricky matchup against Milwaukee. They win five or six? They’re in the six-seed. Maybe even the four. They drop a game like this? They’re back in play-in purgatory, where one bad shooting night could end your season.

Yup. They’ll be helped by the returns of Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid, who were both suspended for one game after a round of shenanigans with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. Depth matters a lot, especially when you’ve got four more games to go on this road trip.

Last time a Minnesota basketball team was in Barclays Center, this happened:

Good times!

Player to watch: Anthony Edwards​

There’s been so much discussion as to who should be the “face” of the NBA once the big Three of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant step away from the game. It was gonna be Zion Williamson, but injuries and the failures of the New Orleans Pelicans got in the way of that. It was gonna be Ja Morant, but... yeah. Anthony Edwards doesn’t want it, but brother let me tell you, when you’re a franchise player that everyone loves to watch and you have shoes that everyone wants to wear, you kinda are. That’s part of the job.

Speaking of the job, Edwards has got it under control for the most part. Since the All Star break, Edwards is averaging around 27 points, six rebounds, and five assists a night on 45/38/82 shooting splits. What’s most encouraging is he’s averaged 7.5 free throws attempted per game during that stretch, which is the best mark of his young career. Edwards is almost impossible to stop once he gets inside the restricted area, so your best hope as a defense is to keep him on the perimeter as long as possible. He sometimes has tunnel vision when he’s got the ball, but when you can kick it like this

lol Anthony Edwards

— Steve Jones Jr (@stevejones20.bsky.social) 2025-04-02T04:31:37.646Z

You’ll live with it.

Having D’Angelo Russell back is extra helpful with Cam Johnson being out. It always helps to have shot creation and Russell is coming off a game in which he handed out 11 assists. As Brooklyn starts to wind things down, having a vet like Russell who can provide a helping hand and take on scoring duties will help keep the offense afloat against one of the league’s best teams. It’s also a revenge game as Russell played in the Twin Cities for two and a half seasons. That’s always fun.

From the Vault​

It’s time for the FINAL FOUR!

And we are about two weeks away from WRESTLEMANIA!

More reading: Canis Hoopus and SB Nation NBA

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes - Brooklyn Nets
• Minnesota Timberwolves Game Notes - Minnesota Timberwolves
• Wolves aim to bolster playoff positioning against Nets - NBA
• Brooklyn plays Minnesota on home skid - AP
• Nets players insist winning is still goal, not tanking with season nearing end - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets’ Noah Clowney to miss remainder of season - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
• Nets’ Cam Johnson, Ziaire Williams ruled out for Timberwolves matchup - Erik Slater - Clutch Points

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/3/...sota-timberwolves-nba-preview-anthony-edwards

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

3 Takeaways after MinnesotaTimberwolves chow down on Brooklyn Nets

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Another one bites the dust. Not an opponent, but a day closer to the lotto and draft.

The Brooklyn Nets waited longer to play the Minnesota Timberwolves than any other team this year. Tanking, or should I say “pick value optimization” implications aside, the hold out wasn’t worth it.

Tonight’s opponent, connected to the Nets only through Kevin Garnett, D’Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards in our dreams, slugged Brooklyn by a 105-90 score. With no lead changes beyond the opening minutes of the second quarter, the game had little to offer from an entertainment standpoint.

It was a long time coming (yes, even if only six days) for the Nets to take one on the chin like this being surprise winners of two in a row. Still, it wasn’t easy to take. Here’s what we learned.

If Not Mad, Max is Fearless​

Maxwell Lewis’ season has had enough ups and downs that tagging it with the “rollercoaster” cliche would be a disservice to it. The 22-year-old came to Brooklyn midseason at the bottom of the shipment package carrying D’Angelo Russell. Then, on the first day of the calendar year, he had his first bucket, minute, and injury as a Net happen all at once.

oh my god, Maxwell Lewis checks into the game, hits a three, and then suffers a potentially serious knee injury after Jakob Poeltl steps on his foot... pic.twitter.com/Gp2YoTLEhJ

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 2, 2025​

Scary as it was to see him hitting a shot one second and then down on the floor a cut later, Lewis recovered from what was a fractured left tibia and returned to action on February 12th. Fernández played him sparingly up until mid-March. But since then, he’s logged double digit minutes in nine of his last 10 games.

That all led up to tonight, where Lewis got his first career NBA start. He wasted no time taking advantage, hoisting a team-high four shots in the first quarter even with nine other Nets seeing the floor in the period.

first career start
first bucket of the game @maxwelll2002 | #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/crJ2GxMKkP

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 3, 2025​

As seen above and on a corner triple attempt not too long after, Lewis flashed his quick trigger during his early burn, certainly to his coach’s liking. Fernández has been anything but mum while encouraging his guys to unload the clips on their long range shooting weaponry, misses and makes alike.

“The only thing I can say is, I don’t care about missed shots,” he said in late February. “Some shots are gonna go in. Some shots are not gonna go in...I don’t want them to shoot like they have to make a shot. Just let it fly.”

Lewis sure did, attacking mismatches and continuing to show no hesitation on catch-and-shoot opportunities until the final buzzer.

While he didn’t always get the desired result, finishing with a lukewarm 10 points while shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-8 from deep, he never looked timid. He even did the dirty work once at the defensive end to set up Claxton with a scoop and score...

Lot of length out there between Max and Clax. pic.twitter.com/93QY0CrxY7

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) April 4, 2025​

“Yeah, I think their intentions were very good,” Fernández said postgame of Lewis and Dariq Whitehead. “They tried to do the right things, and they did it really hard, and that’s why we kept competing.”

Not only is confidence a key for young players in general, but it’s also one that unlocks doors leading to Fernández’s rotation, at least from an offensive standpoint. It currently averages the eighth most three-point attempts per 48 minutes this year despite ranking bottom five in percentage. So make or miss, Lewis has a shot to last here.

Tosan is Still Versatile as Ever​

Tosan Evbuomwan showed up one day in the bleak midwinter, flashed about as wide of a skillset as anyone has on the Nets this year, and then vanished just as suddenly as he had arrived. Nearing his limit of active games by a two-way this season, he got dragged back to Long Island just as we were starting to get to know him.

While Evbuomwan returned for one late February and one late March game, tonight he was back back, playing 20+ minutes for the first time since February 10th. For anyone worried, he hasn’t changed a bit.

The do-it-all Princeton product finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, and three assists tonight while shooting 6-of-11 from the field. Those same crafty post moves, court vision, and ability to guard multiple positions were on full display. At one point, he pumped a shot before dumping it off in the post to Drew Timme, who even looked faked out by the move himself.

Whether or not a solid performance improves a player’s likelihood of being brought back next year is a hard question to escape when it comes younger guys on smaller contracts at this point in the season, but frankly, it’s still one for another day. This evening, however, he was as flexible and functional as ever. Kudos.

Ziaire Williams was Missed...But Not for the Reason You Think​

When the topic of Ziaire Williams comes up, his lateral quickness around the perimeter, paired with his ability to hit a spoonful of threes each night, is where the conversation usually starts. Nonetheless, there’s more to it when it comes to this latest lottery pick turned glue guy’s game.

Whether coming in from the corner Derrick White style or just boxing out and utilizing his impressive vertical, Williams has quietly become one of Brooklyn’s best secondary rebounders this year. Outside of big men Day’Ron Sharpe, Nic Claxton, and the exiled Ben Simmons, he ranks first on the team in rebounding percentage this season. He’s also averaging a career-high in boards per 36 minutes...

You simply did not see plays like this from the Nets last year pic.twitter.com/kHaXFuWMFr

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) November 9, 2024​

Tonight, that was severely missed. The Nets didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, posting 43/31 splits en route to the loss, but Minnesota was no batch of deadeyes either, putting up 50/31 figures. While the field goal percentage is above average, it wasn’t always that way, with Wolves shooting a weak 41.9% at the half, but stayed a dozen.

The difference then? Appetite for glass. Brooklyn lost in the rebounding department by a 45-34 margin, giving up 16 second chance points in the process.

Being the best pound-for-pound rebounder on the team, Sharpe’s absence undoubtedly contributed here too, but you already knew that. Williams, however, could have been the next man up. Instead, he sat tonight due to “rest,” and the Nets lost.

Maybe the front office knows what it’s doing after all (joking, joking).

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/3/...nesotatimberwolves-chow-down-on-brooklyn-nets

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets lose plodding game to Minnesota Timberwolves, 105-90

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The clock is ticking, the offseason is almost here. Another loss adorns the Brooklyn Nets record, ending a two-game win streak, though the scoreboard doesn’t reveal much.

Jordi Fernández, in his rookie year as an NBA head coach, has been the MVP of the Brooklyn Nets. Truly quantifying the value of coaching being near impossible, you can argue that Cam Johnson is another strong candidate for MVP. That said, Fernández’s strong debut goes beyond X’s and O’s, game management.

In year 0 of a rebuild, a bad team that hasn’t yet had the opportunity to acquire exciting young talent will plays extraordinarily hard. They will play together, will be resilient, and are far more fun to watch than a 25-51 record would suggest. And they speak glowingly of their head coach.

There is much valid criticism to make over that 25-51 record, which, with some tweaking in their final six games — starting with Thursday’s home clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves — will be sixth-worst in the NBA. Certainly, you know the deal by now.

But the very first step of this rebuild, hiring Fernández, looks like a smash hit.

On Thursday, Fernández left a bigger imprint on the game than he had all season. In the second quarter, he inadvertently injured Minnesota’s leader Anthony Edwards...

Just brutal for Anthony Edwards.

Hits a three, backpedals onto Jordi Fernández's foot, twists his ankle. Fernández and D'Lo saw it right away: pic.twitter.com/Ni19UDk2M8

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 4, 2025​

Thankfully, Edwards would return in the second half, and the drama of a coach injuring an opposing star player quickly subsided. Well, “injured” sounds harsh, given the obvious accidental nature of the incident, but all’s well that ends well.

Said Fernández: “I was out of bounds, trying to move out of the way. Definitely got to be faster than that, because, you know, this place, health is the most important thing in the game. So next time I just got to move faster.”

Of greater concern, both with Edwards on and off the court, Brooklyn kept the scoreboard close enough to avoid embarrassment. Bogged down by injuries, Fernández played yet another unique starting lineup, featuring both Maxwell Lewis and Trendon Watford, who both reached double-digit points.

Brooklyn’s best player, though, was Nic Claxton, who took his matchup with Rudy Gobert personally. He put up 18/6/5, self-creating a great many of his buckets from the middle of the floor; it was the vision — one that hasn’t often come to fruition — many had for Claxton at the beginning of a year in which opportunity was guaranteed...

Nic Claxton has 16 on 8-8 shooting right now. Has enjoyed attacking Rudy from the middle of the floor: pic.twitter.com/yPpwsdipIE

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 4, 2025​

Behind Claxton, the Nets shot over 50% from two, even outscoring the Wolves in the paint.

But the Wolves were much more forceful inside. Rudy Gobert put up a monster 21-and-18 double-double, pushing Claxton around and feasting on some otherwise porous backline D from Brooklyn’s wings and guards. Anthony Edwards, unbothered by the ankle twist, led the Wolves with 28, and as any strong playoff team does, they got well-rounded contributions.

They also suffocated Brooklyn athletically, getting to the line 21 times to Brooklyn’s staggeringly low count of four. Just four free-throws. Fernández brought that up, unprompted, in his postgame interview.

“You see the free throw disparity, 21 to four. We took 30 rim-attempts and 49 paint shots. So if you do your math, that doesn’t seem right. So, those are things we cannot control.”

Thanks to such few breaks, and pretty uninteresting play on the whole, it flew by. D’Angelo Russell nearly escaped mention in this article, as I nearly forgot his 13 invisible, scoreless minutes. No, really, scoreless.

When asked about the rationale for his low-minute count, Fernández had this to say: “Number one is to be get a look at these younger guys during an important part of the game, where you can see how they handle it. But yeah, he’s been dealing with the ankle and just trying to be smart with that too.”

Those younger guys acquitted themselves well, between a couple Drew Timme floaters over Rudy Gobert and 13 points from Tosan Evbuomwan. Dariq Whitehead, though, joined Keon Johnson as the only guy that could make a jumper, scoring 17 points off the bench on 5-of-9 from deep...

4th triple of the night for @dariq_whitehead pic.twitter.com/xvoeKsjWWa

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 4, 2025​

The 20-year-old is now shooting better than 40% from deep in his 14 NBA games.

Postgame, Whitehead said his focus is “just doing the right things. I’m sure me as well as the coaches have know by now how, you know, talented I am offensively. I’m gonna make shots. For me, it’s just doing the right thing and earning coach’s trust, being in the right spots on defense, doing the right things.”

Though Whitehead shot 0-of-4 from two, flashing some of the concerns for his prospects...

Dariq still aborting his drives way too early. Doesn't have the juice to pick it up at the FT line: pic.twitter.com/Wt8ywKVfh9

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 4, 2025​

...it was a fun night for the 20-year-old who’s been through so much injury strife in his young basketball career.

Following the loss to Minnesota, there are five games left in Brooklyn’s season. They are all but locked into the sixth-best lottery odds. Barring true catastrophe or miracle, the outcome of their season has been decided. May this final stretch bring more fleeting moments, and a blessed offseason. Amen.

Final Score: Minnesota Timberwolves 102, Brooklyn Nets 87

Nets host Jason Collins for Pride Night​

Once again, Brooklyn invited ex-Net Jason Collins back to the building for Pride Night...

@jasoncollins98 pic.twitter.com/02oiAdPEoP

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 4, 2025​

“It means a lot,” he said on the YES Network broadcast. “The Nets organization is first-class all the way. It’s incredible to see the support and to be invited back every year.”

Collins began his career with the New Jersey Nets, playing parts of seven seasons for the franchise including the two Finals runs. However, his most famous stint with the team comprised just 22 games in 2013-14, with the team in Brooklyn.

After coming out as gay the previous year, he signed with the Nets in February 2014, becoming the first active, gay player in the Big Four American sports.

“What I remember about that the most was just the support,” said Collins. “The support not only from ownership, from general manager, but obviously, from J-Kidd being the head coach, to my teammates. Everybody had my back, everybody was fully on board with me being back in the NBA, going out there to help make plays to help our team win ballgames. And that’s what it’s all about. We work so hard as professional athletes, and this is our craft.”

Next Up​

Photo by Vaughn Ridley/NBAE via Getty Images

Brooklyn can’t technically clinch (at least) the sixth-best lotto odds with a loss to the Toronto Raptors in their next game, but they can essentially wrap it up. Toronto will visit Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.

• Boxscore: Minnesota Timberwolves 105, Brooklyn Nets 90 - NBA
• Game Highlights: Minnesota Timberwolves 105, Brooklyn Nets 90 (Video) - NBA
• Jordi Fernández and Dariq Whitehead Postgame Press Conferences vs MIN (Video) - Brooklyn Nets
• Edwards shakes off injury scare and scores 28 points to lead Timberwolves past Nets 105-90 - AP
• Anthony Edwards shakes off injury, pulls Wolves past Nets - Reuters
• Nets give youngsters a bigger shot in loss to Timberwolves - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Ziaire Williams’ one big improvement could have free agency ramifications - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Jordi Fernandez faces backlash after Anthony Edwards injury scare in Nets loss to Timberwolves - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
• Nets Notebook: How Ziaire Williams improved his market value - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/3/...wolves-105-90-anthony-edwards-jordi-fernandez

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn’s Next Nets: Was Noah Clowney’s season a disappointment?

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Noah Clowney was Brooklyn’s most intriguing prospect entering the season, and he likely still is. But his sophomore campaign left the Nets wanting more.

Noah Clowney joined the playoff-hungry Brooklyn Nets as an 18-year-old taken toward the end of the first round, a “project” that wasn’t going to get project-type minutes out the gate. A year later, he wasn’t quite the face of the franchise, but its only emblem.

He had parlayed solid, definitionally under-the-radar G League time into two weeks of exhilarating NBA flashes. We may have jumped the gun, but Brooklyn hadn’t seen a non-Kevin Durant player who could block shots and hit threes since, um, 38-year-old Uncle Cliffy?

Here was Clowney, doing that and more at 19 years old, the sole bright spot at the end of a miserable 2023-24. Then, the Nets made some rearrangements, and Clowney was the only truly young, exciting talent for a team whose entire missive was to acquire such talent.

Previous installments of “Brooklyn’s Next Nets” search for found money — players on two-way contracts, training camp invites turning into something more. Drew Timme. But Clowney, now 20 years old, entered his sophomore season with tremendous hope, perhaps even expectations. Still, he’d earned them, Dariq Whitehead was drafted one pick after him, and his intro will read quite differently.

Mileage and exit speed will vary on calling Clowney’s 2025 is a disappointment, but that’s the ballpark we’re playing in. The most necessary caveat is the million (read: four) ankle sprains he suffered this season, the last of which ended it at just 46 games played. It’s no coincidence his strongest play came before the one, nor that his promising rookie year was unaffected by injury.

Said Jordi Fernández: “What he needs especially is games, and you know, that’s why we’re excited about next season and also excited about the summer, to put more work in.”

Alas, keeping in mind the rocky nature of his season — not speculating that he was playing at less than 100%, but acknowledging the possibility — we can only analyze what's on tape. And there were some glaring flaws.

Namely, athletic concerns. Yes, if he flies down an open lane and throws down an uncontested dunk, Noah Clowney will look very athletic, soaring high above the rim. But a severe lack of lateral explosion, functional strength, and verticality have long been questions for him...

This is the key area of development with Noah Clowney, finishing in the paint. Gotta go up stronger v Harrison Barnes: pic.twitter.com/1iLNplPNBk

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 7, 2024​

This season, Clowney shot just 58% at the rim, per Cleaning the Glass. Among players listed at 6’9” or taller (min. 10 attempts), only a handful of very green or very gray dudes did worse than that: Matas Buzelis, Taj Gibson, Kevin Love, and Quinten Post.

Any time Clowney saw bodies, things went south. Expand the query to any shot inside the free-throw line, and Clowney shot just 41% in total. Unfortunately, this matches the eye test...

The 20-year-old’s frame has drawn comparisons to Nic Claxton’s, who was 20 years old when Brooklyn drafted him. Four years later, Clax led the league in field-goal percentage, on a handful of self-created twos in addition to the usual pick-and-roll finishes.

However, Clax was a much more coordinated mover, his main appeal at Georgia. He could maneuver through tight spaces and really explode off the ground, despite being a bit contact-averse. To this day, Clax largely avoids contact and finishes over the outstretched arm of a defender; how many times have you seen him posterize somebody?

Clowney, who is also two inches shorter, doesn’t have those athletic traits, but to boot he’s not nearly as sturdy. If he gets bumped on a drive, he’s losing control of the ball...

Will he put on bulk in the coming years, including this summer? Yes. But getting stronger, shiftier, and more explosive? That’s a huge ask, though he still could develop better touch on some of these shots.

This is why Clowney’s game is so perimeter-oriented as a Brooklyn Net. In a league this big and physical, he does not profile as a guy who can play inside-out. Try outside-in, and maybe we’ll see more of this next season, where his balance and agility show on drives...

Thus, Clowney’s going to have to take a lot of 3-pointers, and he’s been willing and able so far.

After shooting 28% on minimal volume as a freshman at Alabama, he is now at 33.3% on major volume through two professional seasons; that includes his G League numbers. He started off his sophomore campaign hot from deep, making 5-of-8 3-pointers in a game vs the Sacramento Kings just before his first ankle sprain.

At one point, we were in eye-opening territory, as Clowney was shooting 38% on nine 3PA per 100 possessions. That’s something like Kevin Huerter country, for reference. Granted, his efficiency fell soon after I cursed him with that article, but his shooting curve as a Net, overall, has been positive.

There are some wonky misses from time to time, and a somewhat slow release. This season, Synergy Sports tracked him as shooting 44.3% on “unguarded” jumpers and just 24.4% on “guarded” jumpers, nearly all threes. We haven’t seen a jaw-dropping shooting leap early in his career, but we are simply on track. Not a terrible place to be...

always nice to see Noah Clowney hit a movement three pic.twitter.com/7AoBVvIOwl

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 26, 2025​

“I think Noah has shown that he’s improved, not just shooting the ball” said Fernández after the season-ending injury was announced. “You know, we want the percentage to keep getting better, but the amount of shots that he took from three, it’s great to see, and see that he’s more than capable of doing it ... If he’s not going to shoot it, and he’s going to put the ball on the floor, how can he get to the rim with one-two dribbles and be efficient?”

That is the question, and its answer remains to be seen. Clowney made a couple intriguing passes after putting the ball on the deck this season, and again, given his finishing woes, a 3-point shooter and connective passer with size may be his long-term sell.

But that’s not a great sell if the defense doesn’t pop again. I don’t have a great theory as to why Clowney’s blocks, steals, and rebounds were all noticeably down following his rookie numbers across the NBA + G League. Simply plagued by injury? Perhaps.

I’d also venture to say that Jordi Fernández’s defense on the whole led to fewer opportunities to come over from the weak-side and block shots, which Clowney did repeatedly last spring, much to the delight of Brooklyn fans. Given that the 2025 team consistently traps/hedges on screens, they’re constantly defending 4-on-3 situations and scrambling around the perimeter, as opposed to being in their shell, either in drop or outright switching...

The Nets went from 12th in blocks per game in 2024, to 26th this season, muting Clowney’s best skill. He still displays flashes of rim protection, particularly getting back in transition, where his penchant for walling up shines...

some plays Noah Clowney's made in transition defense this season: pic.twitter.com/cA9mTlLAeF

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 7, 2025​

But possession-to-possession we just didn’t felt Clowney on defense. His start against the Washington Wizards may have been the nadir of his season, so in an odd way, it’s reassuring he was shut down right after. Maybe he really was laboring on a sore right ankle, but these plays do not reflect the hope for his defense:

• Little resistance/rim protection instincts on a Jordan Poole drive
• A sluggish closeout that is easily roasted
• Slow to react against a pick-and-roll
• Taken to school by Alex Sarr

Alright, let’s take a breath.

Noah Clowney is 20 years old, and was playing well before suffering a series of ankle sprains that may well turn out to be flukes. More of his long-term value seems based on his 3-point shooting than we initially thought, but hey, his 3-point shooting is better than we initially thought.

Plus, at his best, his lanky 6’9” frame does lead to offensive rebounds, deflections, and contests at the rim. Those moments just didn't come as often as we had hoped for this season, but the vision is alive.

In July 2023, Clowney looked overmatched in Las Vegas Summer League. In July 2024, he was one of the best defenders there. As previously mentioned, Jordi Fernández did say he was “excited” for his young forward’s summer, so he may head to Vegas a third time.

His regular season may not have been a stark positive, but don’t tell his teammates that.

“I think he had a phenomenal season,” said Ziaire Williams. “I thought he showed a lot of growth, not just on the court but just mentally. You know, it’s some days I’m like ‘man, Noah, you know we’re still in the NBA, man. Cheer up man, get your spirits up. We’re still living a dream. Who cares about what happened, whenever.’”

Then, he came out swinging with a lofty comparison.

“But he reminds me of me when I was in my second year, just wanting to be perfect, just wanting to be your P’s and Q’s all the time. And mistakes are going to happen, but he always bounced back well. And he’s an unbelievable shooter. I really think he could be, like, shit, damn near better than Giannis. I’ll tell him that all the time. Like, ‘bro, you could be better than Giannis, for real.’ And he puts the work in, so I’m excited to see his growth this summer, and then the years to follow on. But God willing he’ll definitely be an NBA pro for a long time.”

Brooklyn Nets fans don’t need Noah Clowney to turn into a two-time MVP. It’d be nice, but even the biggest believers didn’t get that excited after his rookie season. Still, with hopes and dreams pinned on Clowney, his follow-up campaign felt like a let-down. Fair, not fair, who’s to say? There are still building blocks, and you don’t have to squint too hard to see the NBA pro Ziaire Williams is talking about.

But it may be time to re-adjust expectations for Noah Clowney.

• Noah Clowney’s injury-riddled season leaves Nets with more questions than answers - Brian Lewis - New York Post

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/5/...ets-was-noah-clowneys-season-a-disappointment

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

The ‘other’ Mikal Bridges trade working out for Brooklyn Nets

Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

Rebuilds require some luck as well as some skill in deal making and development. If you find a hidden gem, that’s a bonus.

Thirteen days after the Mikal Bridges trade was finalized last July, the Brooklyn Nets made another deal, sending Mamadi Diakite, a 27-year-old with only $100,000 guaranteed, and long-forgotten draft stash, to the Memphis Grizzlies. Diakite had been a throw-in in the all-New York trade, having played only eight minutes in three games for the Knicks in 2023-24.

In return, Brooklyn got Ziaire Williams plus the 2030 Mavericks second rounder to sweeten things. The Grizzlies had given up on the 22-year-old who they had taken at No. 10 in the 2021 NBA Draft. They needed cap space so they could re-sign Luke Kennard. Even without Williams, you’d have to consider the deal a nice add-on to the Bridges trade, yet another draft pick to add to that haul. Moreover, Diakite was ultimately cut by the Grizzlies, then signed by the Suns and waived before finishing things up with Phoenix’s G League team.

Williams on the other hand has proven himself an NBA player. He’s had a generally productive time in Brooklyn, improving his game, particularly his woeful shooting, as Brian Lewis noted this week. Always a solid wing defender, his 3-and-D potential was marred by his lack of the “3” in the equation. Before joining the Nets, he had shot a career 30.1% from 3-point range, and just 30,7% in 2023-24.

Now, though, Williams has seemingly turned the corner. With five games to go in 2024-25, he’s averaging double figures in points at 10.1, adding 4.6 boards and shooting 41/34/83 to the mix while starting 42 games. Moreover, his shooting keeps improving, as Lewis writes.

When Williams went down with a left knee sprain in December shooting just .273 from deep, it looked like more of the same. But he’s hit .357 since that monthlong absence, and a solid .367 in his last 18 games since Feb. 24.

How’d that happen? The Stanford product says part of it has been the confidence his increased playing time has given him ... enhanced by some work with Jordi Fernandez’s coaching staff.

“When you see the fruits of your labor paying off, it always does help and feels a little good. So, just trying to trust my work,” Williams said.

“Really just rhythm. Rhythm and just staying on track, shooting straight line drive every time” he told the Post. “But the main thing is shooting the same shot, not really focus on the result and not worrying about feet and legs and arms, just focusing … and shooting the same. That’s really about it.”

He also credits assistant coaches Connor Griffin and Corey Vinson, calling Griffin his go-to guy.

“If I had to say two names, those two have definitely been just the most influential,” Williams said. “I’ll shoot, I miss twice in a row. They’ll say one thing and I’ll listen, and the next one goes in. So they definitely know what they’re doing.

It’s not just form, either, he said when referring to the development work of Griffin and Vinson

“That’s why I’m mixing in more of working on pump fakes, and one dribble, just a little escape dribble just to get away on those hard closeouts for sure. But at the end of the day they always tell me, ‘you’re 6-[foot]-10,’ so most guys aren’t going to block it; just shoot over the top and you’ll probably get fouled and-one. It’s funny; I’ll pass up one shot that I’m like ‘ah, I don’t know if I’m open or not,’ and they get pissed. So it always does help when you’ve got guys yelling at you for not shooting.”

Now, attention will turn to his free agency where he will be a restricted free agent along with Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe this summer. He’s made $6.1 million this season and because he’s started half the Nets games and his high draft slot, his qualifying offer come July 1 will be $8.4 million. He told Lewis that he’s not worried about it ... yet.

“I mean, I’d be lying if I told you the thought wasn’t there,” admitted Williams. “But it’s not something I really trip over. I try not to just [focus on it]. I try just to play winning basketball, man: shoot when I’m open, pass when it needs to be passed. I just play my hardest, man.

“I know my agent and my representatives — and more importantly God — they’ll take care of all of that. So, I’m just enjoying the [game], just being in the moment, being where my feet are. And then, when that time comes, then I’ll get a little bit more happy about it.”

A starting salary of $8.4 million is not happening, per some pundits who gauge player value, but there are ways that he and the Nets could get to that happy medium and keep him in Brooklyn ... if that’s what both sides want. Those decisions though are in the future. At the moment, the present looks like a big improvement over the past for Williams.

In other comments to Lewis, he certainly made it clear he likes where he’s at.

“Every game is still fun. Of course our record isn’t what we want it to be, but we’ve learned a lot this year, and it’ll be even better next year.”

In Sean Marks first rebuild, he scored big with two players who he rescued from NBA oblivion, Joe Harris and Spencer Dinwiddie. Both became solid NBA players with career earnings approaching $100 million. But those rosters were also filled with forgettable names of forgettable players who didn’t quite make it or if they did their NBA lifespans were short. It’s how rebuilds work.

The same is true in this rebuild, too. The question is whether any of the young players on the league’s fourth youngest team will reach the levels that Harris and Dinwiddie did. But in each case, they, including Williams, will get the chance.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/4/...l-bridges-trade-working-out-for-brooklyn-nets

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors game preview: mid-afternoon tankers’ delight

Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images

The Nets are sixth in lottery odds, 2 1⁄2 games ahead of the Raptors who are in seventh.

Here we are. With five more games left in the season, the Brooklyn Nets universe can finally take a breath as the end draws nearer and nearer. Sort of like the five stages of death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. We’re somewhere between Nos. 4 and 5.

Despite all of the losses this season, it has been a fun ride for a number of reasons. And let’s look at the positives…. Brooklyn has a great coach that can be trusted in the long run, the core of young guys have potential, and the team plays hard, and that’s all you can really ask for ... at this point. They proved that once again a couple of days ago against the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite taking a 105-90 loss.

This afternoon, the Nets will be taking on the Toronto Raptors in an early outing. As Lucas Kaplan put it, this will be an important game for the Nets in terms of draft lottery odds. Technically, things aren’t solidified yet. But a loss to the Raptors would pretty much mean the Nets will have the sixth best odds on May 12.

Where To Watch​

Catch the action at 3:30 p.m. ET on WLNY (Channels 10/55).

Injury Report​

For the Nets, Nic Claxton (rest), Noah Clowney (right ankle sprain), Cam Johnson (lower back contusion), D’Angelo Russell (right ankle soreness), and Day’Ron Sharpe (right knee sprain) will all be out. Cam Thomas and De’Anthony Melton are of course out as well.

For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickly (rest), Brandon Ingram (ankle), Gradey Dick (knee), Jacob Poeltl (rest), and Ulrich Chomche (MCL tear) will all be out. Scottie Barnes is listed as questionable.

The Game​

This is second game between the Raptors and the Nets in the last two weeks. The Nets lost that game in a blowout. Brooklyn won the first game back in December and lost the second on New Year’s Day.

Just like the past few contests, this game will be a test to see how the young guys do. Dariq Whitehead will be leading the way going into the action, as he played like he was the second coming of Klay Thompson with the five threes he made against Minnesota (17 points in total). From a guy who’s been plagued with injuries the last couple of years, you love to see stuff like this. The 20-year-old is now shooting better than 40% from deep in his 14 NBA games.

Fan favorite Drew Timme won’t have much to prove either, as he has shown that he can play on an NBA floor purely based on how much he hustles and the soft touch he has around the rim. I’m curious on how Tyson Ettiene can perform with the lack of guards available this afternoon. He will get some looks off of some Keon Johnson drives.

The big news out of the game of course will be lottery odds. With only five games to go, even a win by Brooklyn is unlikely to affect their chances on May 12. They are 2 1⁄2 behind Toronto.

Here’s how Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports in Toronto put it...

Raptors in Brooklyn today. At stake from a lotto standpoint: a loss would mean they can't do worse than the 7th-best odds (Spurs couldn't pass them in reverse standings), a win would basically mean they can't do better than the 7th-best odds (Raps/Nets magic # would be down to 1)

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 6, 2025​

Of course, barring something miraculous in either direction, the Raptors are virtually locked into the 7th-best lottery odds, which would give them a 7.5% chance at landing the No. 1 pick and 31.9% chance of moving into the top 4. Could be official as early as Tuesday.

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 6, 2025​

The sixth pick would give the Nets a 9.0% chance of landing the overall No. 1 and 37.2% chance of a top four pick.

Player to Watch​

For the Raptors, they will be led by 6’5” rookie Ja’Kobe Walter who has been in double figures in six of the last eight games and is averaging close to 10 points a game for the season. Over that starting stretch he’s up to 13.9 points on 41/49/100. A highly touted player in high school and a star for Baylor, Walter can score in bunches when he wants. He won’t have much help, so he will be a weapon the Nets will have to key on.

RaptorsHQ’ Chelsea Leite wrote this of him Friday:

Despite starting the season with a shoulder injury, Ja’Kobe Walter seemed to make a good recovery. He has made some circus-level entertaining shots this season and hustled hard to prove his worth. As a first round draft pick, the expectation that Walter would get some solid playing time on a tanking team was pretty high, and he has stepped up.

Other than the youngins, this game will be for all the marbles, the draft. The college season has been great, so the goal from here will be to get the cream of the crop.

From the Vault​

How things have changed! Back in 2014, the Nets and Raptors were rivals, contenders in the East. It was then that Toronto GM Masai Ujiri famously shouted “F--- Brooklyn!” at a fan rally before Game 1.

The Raptors lost that series on Paul Pierce’s dramatic putback.

More reading: RaptorsHQ and SBNation NBA.

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes - Brooklyn Nets
• Toronto Raptors Game Notes - Toronto Raptors
• Opportunities abound when Nets take on Raptors - NBA
• Toronto takes on Brooklyn, seeks to stop 3-game skid - AP
• Nets’ Dariq Whitehead continues to build trust through confident play - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/6/...rs-game-preview-mid-afternoon-tankers-delight

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

LIVE DISCUSSION: Toronto Raptors at Brooklyn Nets, 3:30 p.m. ET

Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images

FINAL 5!

It’s the final stretch, Nets fans. We’re all counting down the days until May 12. In the meantime, enjoy some matinee hoops in Brooklyn.

NETS VS. RAPTORS​

• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Opponent: Toronto Raptors (28-50)
• Tune In: WLNY (channel 55) on TV or Gotham Sports App on streaming devices; WFAN radio

Game Preview | Jordan Greene​

Injury Report: For the Nets, Nic Claxton (rest), Noah Clowney (right ankle sprain), Cam Johnson (lower back contusion), D’Angelo Russell (right ankle soreness), and Day’Ron Sharpe (right knee sprain) will all be out. Cam Thomas and De’Anthony Melton are of course out as well. For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickly (rest), Brandon Ingram (ankle), Gradey Dick (knee), Jacob Poeltl (rest), and Ulrich Chomche (MCL tear) will all be out. Scottie Barnes is listed as questionable.

The Game: Just like the past few contests, this game will be a test to see how the young guys do. Dariq Whitehead will be leading the way going into the action, as he played like he was the second coming of Klay Thompson with the five threes he made against Minnesota (17 points in total). From a guy who’s been plagued with injuries the last couple of years, you love to see stuff like this. The 20-year-old is now shooting better than 40% from deep in his 14 NBA games.

Please be respectful with your comments. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/6/...-toronto-raptors-at-brooklyn-nets-3-30-p-m-et

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Deadlines and Commitments: NBA Off-Season is finally here

Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images

The season is ending and the rush of news is beginning. Post this on the fridge!

Is this the biggest off-season ever for the Nets franchise? Bigger than 2001 when Rod Thorn traded for Jason Kidd after drafting Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins? Bigger than 2019 when Sean Marks engineered the Clean Sweep? Hard to tell at the moment. With so much dependent on the Draft Lottery, then the Draft, we may not know for a couple of years just how big whereas in 2001 and 2019, the effect was near-immediate. You could even argue this is just another transition year in a multi-year rebuild. So not so big a deal!

In any event, it sure will be interesting and it starts this week. Meanwhile, the New York Liberty, fresh off their practice facility announcement, will be gearing up for their defense of the WNBA championship as well as the banner raising at Barclays five days after the Draft Lottery.

—April 7: NCAA men’s championship game. Florida vs. Houston. Not as interesting as what it would have been if Duke was playing, but some mocks have Florida PG Will Clayton Jr. near the end of the first round, beginning of the second where the Nets currently have three picks.

—April 13: NBA Regular Season ends. All 30 teams to play. Nets close out season vs. Knicks at Barclays Center. It appears the game will be meaningless for both teams. One more loss for the Nets and they’ll secure the sixth best odds in the lottery. One more win for the Knicks and they’ll secure the third seed in the playoffs.

With the NBA season and March Madness over, the Nets will starting working out prospects, dozens of them. Also, construction will begin soon on the second phase of BSE Global’s $100 million enhancements at Barclays Center will begin.

—April 14 - WNBA Draft. New York has the 38th and final pick in the three-round draft. Last month, they traded the seventh pick for Natasha Cloud.

—April 15-18: NBA Play-In Tournament.

—April 16-19: Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in Portsmouth VA. The first of the post-season draft combines, this one for college seniors. All 30 teams will be there along with international leagues.

—April 19: NBA Playoffs begin.

—April 23: Draft position ties broken by virtual coin toss. With the Nets late first rounders bunched up, it seems possible, even likely, that the Nets will wind up in the mix.

—April 26: NBA Draft Early Entry Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)

—April 29: WNBA Training Camp begins. It will be the team’s next to last at Barclays Center. By 2027, they’ll be in their new $80 million digs in Greenpoint.

—May 9-11: G League Combine in Chicago. NBA teams as well as G League teams will be on hand.

—May 9: Liberty open two-game preseason vs. Connecticut Sun at Barclays Center.

—May 11-18: NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. More draft workouts, more scouts in Chicago for all the measurements and scrimmages ... plus player interviews.

—May 12: NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago. Where will the Nets pick? What happens if you drink champagne after taking Zanax? With the sixth best odds, the Nets would have 9.0% chance at Cooper Flagg and a 37.2% chance at a top four pick.

One other thing to watch other than where the Nets will pick. If the 76ers retain their first in the 2025 lottery — it’s protected 1-6 — the first rounder Philly owes the Nets moves from 2027, protected 1-8, to 2028.

—-May 12: Second Liberty preseason game at University of Oregon where Libs’ Sabrina Ionescu is being honored. Opponent is the Toyota Antelopes of Japan’s Women ‘s Basketball League.

—May 17: New York Liberty open defense of their WNBA title. Banner raising and ring ceremony at Barclays Center!

—May 31-June 2: Adidas Eurocamp in Treviso, Italy. The NBA’s international draft combine. Expect some international players to rise.

—June 5: NBA Finals 2025 begin. All games will be televised on ABC.

—June 15: NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)

—June 25-26: NBA Draft. Both rounds are at Barclays Center, the first on the night of June 25, the second the next night. Who will the Nets pick? At the moment, the Nets have four first rounders and a second rounder, most in the league. More than the February trade deadline, the days before the Draft is historically Sean Marks’ time. In eight of his nine years as GM, he’s made at least one move, some big, some small, within 48 hours of the draft. Last year, he made two with the Nets and Rockets that changed the direction of the franchise almost precisely 48 hours before Adam Silver stepped to the stage.

—June 29: Jalen Wilson, Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Maxwell Lewis and Drew Timme have team options for 2025-26. Qualifying Offers must be extended to Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams.

—June 30: NBA teams may begin negotiating with free agents (beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET). Applies to re-signings as well. Nets will have an estimated $50 million to $70 million in cap space, more than any other team by a long shot. Brooklyn can tender offer sheets to restricted free agents. And other teams can do the same with the Nets RFAs.

—July 6: Free agent signings and Draft Day trades become official. Cam Johnson can be extended.

—July 7: Nets $23.3 million trade exception from Mikal Bridges trade expires.

—July 10-20: NBA Summer League in Las Vegas With all those draft picks plus a number of young players from this year’s team, Brooklyn should be one of the most interesting squads.

—July 17–21: WNBA All-Star Break

—July 19: WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

—Early August TBA: NBA schedule for 2025-26 is released.

—September 28: Rough starting date for training camp and Media Day for those teams like the Nets who play overseas in preseason The Nets, of course, are playing in China.

—October 10: First of two NBA China Games vs. Phoenix Suns at the 14,000 capacity Venetian in Macao.

—October 12: Second of two NBA China Games. Same opponent, same venue

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/7/...tments-nba-off-season-is-finally-here-edition

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

3 Takeaways from the Brooklyn Nets sloppy loss to Toronto Raptors

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The Long Island...I mean Brooklyn Nets fell today to Toronto Raptors. The affair had clear deficiencies and bright spots.

Like all other Sunday contests, today was a “kids game” here at the Barclays Center. The Brooklyn Nets and their opponent both seemed to want in on the theme.

In contests featuring two squads already eliminated from postseason contention, there are only so many things to reach for beyond player development. With the Nets starting Trendon Watford, Ziaire Williams, Keon Johnson, Reece Beekman (first of his career), and Drew Timme (him too), and the Toronto Raptors rolling with Ochai Agbaji, R.J. Barrett, Jonathan Mogbo, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead, each team did so with both hands.

Toronto’s rugrats eventually proved themselves superior, crawling to a 120-109 win over the Nets. However, getting a win likely wasn’t the first or even the second thing on either team’s agenda. It may have even been on their list of things to avoid...as long as the Great Eye of Adam Silver isn’t locked onto them.

So no matter what, the Brooklyn Nets are going home with something tonight. What that is is open to interpretation. What isn’t, is the fact that playing your deep bench guys isn’t always pretty, one of them had some pep in his step tonight, and another made a nice tribute to “Brooklyn Grit.” For more on each, check out what’s below.

Going Young Has Its Side Affects​

The Brooklyn Nets didn’t play their cleanest game of basketball this afternoon. That’s okay, and it’s frankly something you expect when you favor development over competitiveness in the immediate. Nonetheless, the sloppy play was too abundant not to point out even with those circumstances acknowledged.

For starters, Brooklyn turned it over 23 times this afternoon, good for their most in a game all season. The effort to get back was there, as Toronto only managed to generate 22 points on those opportunities. But with Brooklyn still spilling possessions left and right, them being quick to scurry back with a dishtowel every other time wasn’t enough to sop the collective mess.

Not the desired P&R result here pic.twitter.com/BMZLSCN5DX

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) April 6, 2025​

Without any offensive structure, shooting numbers nosedived like all of our 401Ks this weekend. Unable to queue up high percentage looks, the Nets posted .476/.286 splits for the game. The first half was especially tough from deep, as Brooklyn went just 3-16 on triples.

Growing pains is a common phrase thrown around young, even potentially promising teams struggling in the present. However, you won’t find a more appropriate place to apply it than Brooklyn’s game today. This afternoon was a chaotic, but completed job. On to the next.

Reece Beekman Has Some Wheels​

Reece Beekman may not have had the strongest game from a statistical standpoint but anyone who favors the “eye test” saw him generate space off the dribble all afternoon — not effortlessly, but often.

Nice take off the dribble by Reece Beekman. Couldn't finish it but looked like there could have been a foul called. pic.twitter.com/8SylBC1puw

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) April 6, 2025​

Beekman was one of the only Nets able to get through that first line of defense and break things down. While his finishing around the rim left a lot to be desired, the setup work was admirable. He also gets conditioning points for doing all that while picking up his man at full court at the other end — a “Jordi ball” staple.

Good and bad altogether, the rookie guard finished with a team-high 14 points while shooting 6-13 from the field. In a game filled to brim with turnovers, he only committed two. In a game devoid of assists, he pitched in five, good for the most on the team.

Reece Beekman with his best half of the season in his first start IMO...few nice plays right here pic.twitter.com/yd5tKhMEpX

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 6, 2025​

Granted, team “mosts” and “bests” today are low bars for an NBA player. Today’s game contest featured an abundance of guys still trying to find their way in the league, who likely wouldn’t see as many minutes in any other month or on any other team. But hey, what’s the fun in focusing on that? Beekman looked solid. Let’s leave it at that!

Timme has the Grit Gene​

It may not be a surprise to hear that a guy who was one of college basketball’s best players, went undrafted, and then worked his way up through the G-League before getting his first NBA minutes at 24 years old is resilient. In a year without many, Drew Timme’s emergence on the Nets has been a fun story, regardless of whether we’re getting the first of its many seasons yet to unfold in Brooklyn or if it’s a standalone series that gets the industry axe, only making it that much more beloved over time — our very own Freaks and Geeks (1991) in Nets lore.

This evening, the legendary Gonzaga Bulldog finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, putting some sneaky moves on display in the short roll for a fourth game in a row. He dished two assists and probably could have had a few more had it not been the weak shooting game that it was.

At one point in the second quarter, Timme drove through the lane, fell down with the defense collapsing but gathered the loose ball on the floor and flicked it out to an open Tyson Etienne. He failed to find nylon, but again, most guys didn’t tonight.

Drew Timme is everywhere folks, what a time pic.twitter.com/HoBaGKv08L

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 6, 2025​

Despite being notably undersized at his position, Timme wasn’t afraid to get physical at the defensive. He was often the first or second guy down the court on the break. He switched onto the perimeter chase guards as well as can be expected.

.@Rjeff24 clearly loves saying "Timme!" pic.twitter.com/FJi8GyWTHW

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 6, 2025​

So much of what he did today looked right out of the 2018-19 season. Without much else to do right now, let’s cheers to that as well.

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/6/...-brooklyn-nets-sloppy-loss-to-toronto-raptors

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets vs. New Orleans Pelicans preview: unleash the kids

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

As we draw closer to the end of the season, the Nets will host the New Orleans Pelicans.

A few more to go. The Brooklyn Nets drew one step closer to the start of their real season after losing at home to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday afternoon.

The opponent tonight is looking ahead to the Draft as well. The New Orleans Pelicans have been snake-bitten by injuries all season long and are looking forward to the Draft. They were on the road Sunday evening and lost a close one to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Where to follow the game​

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on the app. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7:30 PM.

Injuries​

The following players are out for the Nets

• Noah Clowney
• Cam Johnson
• Cam Thomas
• D'Angelo Russell
• Keon Johnson
• DeAnthony Melton
• Day’ron Sharpe

And for the Pelicans:

• Trey Murphy III
• Zion Williamson
• CJ McCollum
• DeJounte Murray
• Herb Jones
• Jordan Hawkins
• Brandon Boston

Kelly Olynyk and Jose Alvarado are both questionable.

The game​

Brooklyn won the first meeting.

If you didn’t have access to a calendar, you can just take a look at the injury report and you’d immediately know that we were in April.

We get to say hello to an old friend of ours! Bruce Brown is starting for the Pelicans these days and he’s making the most of it. He’s started the last seven games and is averaging around 11 points and five rebounds on .449/.438/.733 shooting splits. New Orleans has a lot to figure out this summer, and Brown will be someone that will be evaluated closely by Pelicans management.

Speaking of evaluation, Ziaire Williams will look to put another good outing on the board. Williams made the most of his playing time on Sunday and should be starting for the rest of the season. He recently spoke about his progress and gave a sneak peek of sorts to his upcoming free agency:

“You know, I’m always capable of, you know, what I can bring to the table, but when you see the fruits of your labor paying off, it always does help and feels really good. So, you know, just trying to trust my work, and that’s about it, man. That’s about it.”

Ziaire has put together a good season in Brooklyn, and if it ends on an especially high note, could lead to bigger opportunities down the line.

Player to watch: Yves Missi​

The end of the season is the perfect time for young players to look back on the year and reflect on the season that was. For Yves Missi, he can look back at his rookie season and be proud of the work he’s done. Missi leads all rookies in rebounds at just over eight a night and is tough to handle on the offensive glass.

You need to start somewhere, and Missi appears to be a keeper.

Nic Claxton is back after a day off on Sunday, and he’ll be in for around 20+ minutes again tonight. Clax was especially excellent the last time we saw him against the Minnesota Timberwolves. For Claxton, this final stretch should see him continue working to create his own shots on offense while maintaining his activity level on defense. Even with the organization focusing on ping pong balls, for the players on the court, now is the perfect time to work on some things before they leave for the off-season.

From the Vault​

The Road to WrestleMania rolls on!

More reading: In the N.O. and SB Nation NBA

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes - Brooklyn Nets
• New Orleans Pelicans Game Notes - New Orleans Pelicans
• Playing out the string, Pelicans and Nets unleash rookies - NBA
• New Orleans visits Brooklyn on 4-game road slide - AP
• The advice that fueled Ziaire Williams’ Nets breakout ($) - Brian Lewis - New York Post Sports+
• Nets’ Drew Timme starting to feel like an NBA regular after first start - Brian Lewis - New York Post

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/8/...s-pelicans-nba-preview-yves-missi-nic-claxton

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

3 Takeaways After Brooklyn Nets motley crew win vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Brooklyn Nets got win No. 26. Contributions came from all corners of the roster, even the one that extended down into Long Island earlier this year.

The NBA’s April-to-March thaw, known for tanking, two-way breakouts, and atypical injury designations wouldn’t be complete without one not-so-grand finale. With two basement dwellers in the shape of the New Orleans Pelicans and the Brooklyn Nets facing off tonight, the Barclays Center provided the stage for the sarcastic showdown.

Jordi Fernández likely didn’t see it that way — and he’s right to. The game, while unable to revive anyone’s postseason pulse by now, still presented each team with an opportunity to give their youngster some burn. It’s as good a time as any for a coach to evaluate who should be here next year — and who’s just a character in a movie we’re only watching to pass the time.

But amid that, the Nets did something tonight they haven’t done in several months — win a game that didn’t make a large percentage of the fanbase want to pull their hair out. With Brooklyn’s lottery odds all but locked in given the space between them and Philly or Toronto, the win likely had zero impact on the value of their upcoming draft picks, and couldn’t have left anyone with a bad taste in their mouth.

It did, however, leave us with a handful of more takeaways before the season reaches its end five days from now. Get ‘em while they’re hot.

They’ve Still Got Their Running Shoes On​

At a point in the season when everyone is slowing down, whether literally or figuratively, Brooklyn went pedal to the metal this evening, running up the Pelicans for 21 fast break points. That’s nothing special, but also not too shabby when you remind yourself they didn’t have a true table setter out there with them.

Even on sequences that didn’t qualify as transition takes, the Nets still looked intent on beating New Orleans each time down the floor, mainly off inbounds following made Pelican baskets. It was a staple in Brooklyn’s offense during the Ben Simmons days with the lack of spacing on the floor and returned early tonight for similar reasons.

Nets going for a lot of those artificial fast breaks tonight, pushing up the court even after made shots at the other end. pic.twitter.com/Z9KfBIMklg

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) April 8, 2025​

Trendon Watford, who’s been an above average fast break conductor all season, even if makeshift, had his tall striped hat on again tonight, pushing the Nets up the floor often before finding his teammates. Nic Claxton did the same, finishing more of his trips by himself.

cool Clax bucket pic.twitter.com/TfgyJNkwBo

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 9, 2025​

“Honestly, I’m just hooping bro, taking what the defense gave me tonight” Watford said postgame. “Just trying to be who I am, get my guys involved, and be aggressive for myself.”

After several games of dormant offensive play, seeing Brooklyn run and gun was entertaining at the very least, even if not pretty. Like it or not, that’s the bar now with the Nets eliminated and just three games to go.

Dariq from the Corner is a Thing

The Dariq Whitehead conversation this year usually starts and ends with his shooting from deep. Although the first round pick is still looking to reestablish the burst that made him a standout player at Duke, he’s now branded himself as a deadeye, shooting 43.3% on 3.8 attempts per game coming into tonight. Of his 77 field goals so far this year, 26 have been of the 3-point variety.

So, the kid digs the long ball. We get that. But tonight, he took a particular liking to those that come from the corner. En route to his 14 points while shooting 5-9 from the field and 4-7 from deep, Whitehead went 2-4 from the far left and right.

So Dariq Whithead really likes corner threes pic.twitter.com/4h0M7CYzQq

— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) April 9, 2025​

“Just spreading, getting to my spots, you know, not trying to be the last guy off the court, making sure wherever I was I’m getting my feet ready,” Whitehead said of his shooting. “And then, like I said, my teammates were finding me...Coach is very, you know, he’s very out loud with what he wants — shoot threes, play a lot of defense. He went like 55-50 threes a game, so for me, that’s just something, when I hear that, I’m going out there and trying to make shots. If it’s a good shot, I’m gonna take it.”

With those seven attempts in total from deep and with it being this late in the season, it’d take some Home Alone 2 style brick throwing for Whitehead to tank his 3-point percentage down below 40% for the year. While that “year” will only be 20 games assuming he appears in Brooklyn’s next three contests, it’s still measurable progress for what’s been one of the team’s slower developmental projects.

“It’s gonna be to continue to take care of my body and conditioning,” later said describing his next steps. “That’s gonna be big for me going into the offseason, whatever it may be, doing whatever I can to make next year I’m coming in and there’s no thoughts or talk about me, being the best shape I could possibly be in my life. So just taking this summer, like I said, one of my first summers since high school being able to go out there and train, work on things. So just taking adventure this summer and make sure I come back even better.”

Points of Priority Run Deep​

As noted beforehand, Brooklyn’s last handful of games have largely featured two-way guys and other younger players rather than the usuals whether due to injuries or otherwise. It’s just that time of year.

But even with a variety of new names filling the box score, the two key elements of what makes Brooklyn Nets basketball “Brooklyn Nets basketball,” were on full display. Of course, I’m talking about a willingness to put up an abundance of 3-point attempts and bring air-tight ball pressure at the other end.

Minus Cam Johnson, D’Angelo Russell, and even Tyrese Martin, they put up 40 attempts from deep tonight, just a tick above their average for the season going into the game at 39.3 attempts.

While there’s no metric to illustrate ball pressure, anyone willing to watch back the tape on this one will see Reece Beekman and Tyson Etienne hounding New Orleans ball-handlers. Etienne could even be seen picking his man up beyond halfcourt...deep into the fourth quarter of the game...and with the Nets up double digits. Beekman pulled away three steals as well.

“His presence defensively, and the amount of deflections he had, and how active he was, how disruptive it was, I think he made winning plays the whole night,” Fernández said of Beekman. “I know that everybody looks at his numbers, but the defensive numbers that you cannot see on the box score, I think this was his best game by far this season.”

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/9/...-nets-motley-crew-win-vs-new-orleans-pelicans

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

DRAFT WATCH #8: Point guards ‘R’ us, say mock drafts

Photo by Grant Halverson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Are the draftniks trying to tell something? In our post-Final Four survey of 11 mock drafts, point guards are seen as the likely choice of Sean Marks, B.J. Johnson etc.

The first thing to understand about mock drafts, particularly those two plus months out. is that they’re entertainment. Each team’s internal mock draft is a state secret not privy to public examination. And they’ll change the closer we get to June 25-26, with some moving during the two-round draft. The top picks are pretty easy to predict. After that, it’s educated guesswork with some mocks better than others.

However...

In the first post-Final Four round-up of mock drafts, out Tuesday, draftniks think the Brooklyn Nets will wind up with at least one point guard, maybe two, and three of them are predicting that Jeremiah Fears, the 6’4’ Oklahoma point guard, will be wearing a black-and-white cap at end of the night.

In addition, four mocks have the Nets also taking Nolan Traore, another 6’4” point from France when the Milwaukee Bucks pick comes up and the Nets start to reap the rewards of their trade with the New York Knicks which won them seven picks: five firsts, a first round pick swap and a second. (Can never get enough of that!) He’s tied for the most mentions of any prospect.

In addition to Fears and Traore, draftniks have Brooklyn looking at a number of other point guards, most prominently the big Israeli PG Ben Saraf who plays for Ratiopharm in Germany. He’s linked to the Nets in three mocks. Kasparas Jakicionis of Illinois and Lithuania, Milos Uzan of Houston, Boogie Fland of Arkansas and Sergio De Larrea of Spain all get one draftnik vote.

The player tied with Traore is not a point guard, but a 6’8” power forward from Pennsauken, N.J. and UAB, Yaxel Lendeborg, one of the draft’s risers. Four mocks have him going to the Nets in the 20’s. UConn’s freshman sharpshooter Liam McNeeley gets three mentions as does French power forward Noah Penda and Colorado State shooting guard Nique Clifford.

Finally, two prospects often linked to the Nets get votes at No. 6: Khaman Maluach, the Duke big, and Tre Johnson, the Texas sharpshooter.

There are some caveats to note. While most of the mocks are of very recent vintage, posted in the 48 hours since Florida surprised the basketball world, a couple are a bit older. We note that. Also, in one case, we rely on a site’s Big Board, their top 100 prospects. At this point, with most spots spoken for, there’s going to be little difference.

So here ya go.

ESPN​

The gold standard for decades and the most traditional. Jonathan Givony who pioneered in-depth mocks while at Draft Express, and Jeremy Woo, who did mocks for Sports Illustrated for ESPN think the Nets have a “void” at the point and believe Fears, the second youngest player in the Draft, is ideal for them.

#6 - Jeremiah Fears, PG, 6’4”, Oklahoma

#18 - Nolan Traore, PG, 6’4” Saint Quentin (France)

#26- Adou Thiero, PF, 6’8”, Arkansas

#27 - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, 6’9”, UAB

#36 - Bennett Stirtz, PG/SG, 6’4, Drake

Here’s their take on Fears and Traore fit with Brooklyn:

Fears emerged as a top freshman despite being one of the youngest players in college basketball (he turns 19 in October). His combination of size, speed, pace, shotmaking and shot creation gives him significant long-term upside, as he gets anywhere he wants on the floor, either to create opportunities for teammates while dishing on the move, to finish skillfully in the lane or to get to the free throw line...

Traore was once considered in the top echelon of this year’s draft, a potential top five pick, but he’s disappointed. Still, there remains a lot of potential, say Givony and Woo.

Traore has been up and down all season and will need to find another gear with his productivity and efficiency as NBA scouts turn their attention to international prospects.

Some might be surprised to see the Nets take another point guard after selecting Fears at No. 6 in this mock draft, but the Nets will likely need to take swings on upside and could be intrigued with Traore’s potential at this stage in the draft.

Bleacher Report​

Sam Wasserman is quickly becoming one of the leading draftniks. His mock includes not just the key data but also player comparisons. For Fears, he says the comparisons are Jaden Ivey and Scoot Henderson.

#6 - Jeremiah Fears, PG, 6’4”, Oklahoma

#18 - Liam McNeeley, SG, 6’7”, UConn

#26 - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, 6’9”, UAB

#27 - Rasheer Fleming, PF, 6’9”, St. Joseph’s

#36 - Milos Uzan, PG, 6’4”, Houston

Wasserman says that Fears may take some time to develop but he’s likely to worth it...

Extraordinary quickness and shiftiness to create, three-level shotmaking flashes and beautiful ball-screen passes are going to sway teams to remain patient with the three-point consistency and turnovers.

The main questions ask whether he’ll improve his shooting and decision-making, but for an 18-year-old with a heavy workload and elusiveness that aces the NBA eye test, he’s made enough pull-ups and setup passes for teams to bet on his development.

Yahoo! Sports​

Kevin O’Connor’s draft analysis for The Ringer was a big — huge, voluminous, actually — event. He’s since moved on and is now with Yahoo! and his analysis is just as big — huge and voluminous.

#6 - Tre Johnson, SF, 6’6” Texas

#18 - Carter Bryant, SF, 6’6”, Arizona

#26 - Hugo Gonzalez, SF, 6’6”, Real Madrid (Spain)

#27 - Ben Saraf, PG, 6’6” Ratiopharm (Israel)

#35 - J.T. Toppin, PF, 6’9” Texas Tech

O’Connor thinks that Johnson would fit well with the Nets backcourt:

With D’Angelo Russell, De’Anthony Melton, and Cam Thomas all entering free agency, guard will be an area of need in the present and future in Brooklyn. Maybe Johnson is just Thomas 2.0 since he still needs to develop his point guard skills and shot selection. But he’s shown more playmaking upside than Thomas did in college, and he’s taller. Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor,

The Athletic/New York Times​

Sam Vecenie’s mock is a little old, from March 19. Vecenie is on the record saying that he doesn’t think 2025 is a generational draft. His selections are also a bit unconventional but he has a good track record. He too likes point guards for the Nets, just different ones.

#5 - Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, 6’6”, Illinois (Lithuania)

#20 - Ben Saraf, PG, 6’6” Ratiopharm (Israel)

#26 - Noah Penda, PF, 6’10”, LeMans (France)

#27 - Miles Byrd, Wing, 6’6” wing, San Diego State

#35 - Sergio De Larrea, PG, 6’5” Valencia (Spain)

Jakucionis, another point guard, has been a draftnik favorite for Brooklyn. But as Vecenie writes, he has issues:

He averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, but he also gave up the ball 3.6 times per game, and the turnovers tended to compound in-game. He had seven turnovers in games against Wisconsin, Tennessee and Maryland. In his most recent two games against Iowa and Maryland, he had six. And yet, he also has serious passing ability. He can find passes from any angle and is extremely creative with the ball in his hands.

He likes Byrd for his defense.

Byrd is as active a defender as you’ll find in college basketball, a 6-6 wing with incredible hand-eye coordination. He averages 2.2 steals per game and gets several more deflections than that. On offense, Byrd is also a really sharp passer with strong feel for the game and has clear potential as a shooter.

Tankathon​

Everybody’s post-game favorite doesn’t just track lottery odds. They also have a mock draft which is updated as events dictate ... like every night. So things change.

#6 - Khaman Maluach, C, 7’2”, Duke (South Sudan)

#18 - Ben Saraf, PG, 6’6” Ratiopharm (Israel)

#26 - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF, 6’9” UAB

#27 - Noah Penda, PF, 6’10”, LeMans (France)

#36 - Adou Thiero, PF, 6’8”, Arkansas

Maluach had a tough weekend. First, his Duke team was upset by Houston, a game where he had no rebounds. Then the White House and State Department announced that the U.S. is revoking all visas, including student visas, for South Sudanese citizens. Still, he’s been mocked everywhere from No. 3 to 26 this season.

NBADraft.net​

A pioneering draft site like Draft Express, it is often a bit unconventional but it’s as comprehensive as any you can find, often with multiple scouting reports on top players.

#6 - Asa Newell, PF, 6’11” Georgia

#17 - Rasheer Fleming, PF, 6’9”, St. Joseph’s

#26 - Nique Clifford, SG, 6’6”, Colorado State

#27 - Liam McNeeley, SG, 6’7”, UConn

#36 - Amari Williams, C/PF, 6’11”, Kentucky

Like a lot of draftniks, NBADraft.net’s Aran Smith likes Newell’s potential:

Skilled, bouncy post man who plays with a high level of energy and desire … Lefty with stretch four potential with “untapped” scoring ability … Smooth and fluid mechanics on his shooting motion and is showing signs of becoming a solid three point threat.

USA Today​

Jeff Zillgitt is another of the veteran draftniks and he’s helped by Lorenzo Reyes and James H. Williams. They portray their selections as a mock draft, but it’s written more like a Big Board, with names attached to draft position rather than teams.

#6 - Kon Knueppel, wing, 6’7”, Duke

#18 - Nolan Traore, PG, 6’4”, Saint Quentin (France)

#26 - Nique Clifford, SG, 6’6”, Colorado State

#27 - Alex Condon, C, 6’11” Florida

USA Today doesn’t project the second round. Last time we did a mock draft round-up, Knueppel was the draftniks favorite for the Nets, but only USA Today now links him to Brooklyn in this round-up but the Duke wing is likely to go high.

He can ignite an offense with his 3-point shot, thanks to an efficient motion, seemingly always ready to receive the ball in his shooting pocket. He can also lace shots from midrange, take care of the ball and is money on free throws.

SB Nation NBA​

The home team. SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell is our man for all seasons, including the draft season. SB Nation only does first round projections.

#6 - Khaman Maluach, C, 7’2”, Duke (South Sudan)

#18 - Nolan Traore, PG, 6’4”, Saint Quentin (France)

#26 - Thomas Haugh, PF/SF, 6’9”, Florida

#27 - Liam McNeeley, SG, 6’7”, UConn

O’Donnell likes Haugh who cut down the nets on Monday night for Florida.

Haugh wasn’t really on the NBA’s radar for the 2025 draft until he forced his way into the conversation during Florida’s national championship run. He has an easy translation to the league as a low-usage forward who can space the floor on offense, defend forwards, and add some thump on the offensive glass.

As for Maluach’s tough weekend, O’Donnell says keep calm, but ...

I remain high on Maluach and won’t be dropping him on my personal board after a rough showing in the Final Four against Houston. There’s no doubt it was a disappointing performance, though. Maluach had a six-inch size advantage on Houston’s front court and failed to grab a single rebound in 22 minutes. A narrative is starting that Maluach doesn’t play with a high motor, and his final college game will only play into it.

The Ringer​

J. Kyle Mann and Danny Chau have taken over The Ringer’s draft board from O’Connor and it remains comprehensive. Their latest mock is still a work-in-progress but they do have a first round big board, with a couple of surprises, starting with Carter Bryant, perhaps the perfect name for an NBA wing.

#6 - Carter Bryant, SF, 6’6”, Arizona

#18 - Nique Clifford, SG, 6’6”, Colorado State

#26 - Walter Clayton Jr, SG, 6’6”, Florida

#27 - Joan Beringer, PF, 6’11” Cedevita Olimpija (France)

Mann and Chau think Bryant could be a sleeper for whoever takes him because of his defensive potential.

The counting stats won’t make a very compelling case for Bryant as a first-round talent. He has one of the lowest usage rates of any player projected to go in the top 30, comparable to those of fellow freshman Khaman Maluach, who started playing basketball only five years ago. But Bryant would pass even the most rudimentary of eye tests: His Vitruvian frame, agility, and explosiveness would stand out in just about any game he’s in. The clincher? He’s only a freshman.

Bryant’s standout trait at this stage is his defensive playmaking. He lifts off the ground quickly and hangs in the air for as long as necessary. His leaping ability, coupled with his quick reaction speed, makes his blocks seem like acts of precognition.

Hoops Wire​

Sam Amico is a national writer with Cleveland roots. With Hoops Wire, he’s in charge of draft coverage.

#6 - Tre Johnson, SF, 6’6” Texas

#18 - Nolan Traore, PG, 6’4” Saint Quentin (France)

#26 - Alex Karaban, PF, 6’8” UConn

#27 - Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, 6’9”, UAB

#36 - Bennett Stirtz, PG/SG, 6’4, Drake

NBA Draft Room ​

Another of the second level mocks, NBA Draft Room matches a lot of the other drafts, particularly at the top with Fears.

#6 - Jeremiah Fears, PG, 6’4”, Oklahoma

#17 - Will Riley, SF, 6’8” Illinois

#26 - Thomas Sorber, C/PF, 6’10” Georgetown

#27 - Noah Penda, PF, 6’10”, LeMans (France)

#36 - Boogie Fland, PG, 6’2”, Arkansas

Fears gets the same level of praise as he does from the other draftniks.

Fears had a monster freshman season launching his draft stock into the mid lottery range. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands and can get buckets in a hurry. He does a great job of penetrating into the lane and can score from three levels, although his 3pt shot is streaky.

“We have a very important summer, as you know,” Nets coach Jordi Fernández said before Tuesday’s game. “We have four firsts and one second. We’re not going to know where the lottery is going to fall, because that’s part of the odds and so on and so forth. You can only control what you can control, and right now, that is what we know for sure.”

Of course, Brooklyn may not have five picks by Draft Night. Or different picks. Remember back in December, they had six picks before trading a protected Miami second rounder to Golden State in the Dennis Schroder deal.

• Nets’ NBA draft options coming into focus as lottery draws near - Brian Lewis - New York Post

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/9/24404212/draft-watch-8-point-guards-r-us-say-mock-drafts

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets smile through win against New Orleans Pelicans, 119-114

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

The end of a season can be fun time for young players who are finally given a chance to show their potential.

“This is not the end of anything. This is not the end of the season, this is just the next game, the next game going into the the most important summer of our lives.”

So said Jordi Fernández before the 21-57 New Orleans Pelicans visited his 25-53 Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday evening. That end-of-season feeling was thick, the story of the 2024-25 Nets so near completion, despite Fernández’s protests, that they could actually win this one without any further narrative.

Entering Tuesday night, they were nearly locked into the sixth-best NBA Draft Lottery odds, their magic number needed to clinch said position just one. One measly win, or one Toronto Raptors loss; might as well get that win against the still tank-conscious Pelicans.

Though Nets would have to do it without many of their regulars, still prioritizing a look at the back-end of the roster and letting the young guys play, perhaps the establishment of their own draft odds was freeing. Well, that or playing the Pelicans.

Jose Alvarado, returning home to New York City, kept his Pelicans in it during the first half, relishing the opportunity to cook with the ball in his hands. He’d score 16 points and dish out four slick assists, and of course would not play the fourth quarter, given New Orleans’ mission...

Jose Alvarado is going *dumb* in the PnR right now, just hit a pull-up three too: pic.twitter.com/e9MB3JUE6J

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 9, 2025​

Alvarado was one of two reasons the score belied the disparity between the two teams early. Brooklyn took a 54-53 lead into the halftime break, but it would have been a much bigger lead if they didn’t start 4-of-18 from three, on plenty of open looks.

As you’d expect, the veterans largely looked too good for this stage, and did what they had to do. Ziaire Williams scored nine quick points, departing after just 17 minutes, while Nic Claxton scored 13 in the same amount of time, only occasionally imprinting himself on the game...

cool Clax bucket pic.twitter.com/TfgyJNkwBo

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) April 9, 2025​

Trendon Watford, despite the usual couple early turnovers he really needs to cut out of his repertoire to take the next step, was great as well. He led Brooklyn with 22 points in 23 minutes, adding five assists, a couple 3-pointers, and those floaters we’ve come to know so well...

F L O A T E R @trendonw is up to 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting pic.twitter.com/x2fIlCGMyD

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 9, 2025​

“I mean honestly, I’m just hoping, bro,” said Watford. “Taking what the defense was giving tonight. I didn’t — I only missed one, but you know, still trying to be who I am and get my guys involved and be aggressive for myself. And I think, you know, that’s been my same mindset in the past, pretty much the whole season.”

Yet, it was one of the young guns that helped separate Brooklyn for good. Dariq Whitehead caught fire in the second quarter, hitting three straight triples en route to 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

The struggles remain, evidenced by a rough turnover and other unsuccessful drives to the basket, but 2023’s #22 overall pick can really shoot. He’s now up to 30-of-67 on largely catch-and-shoot threes this season, or just shy of 45%...

.@dariq_whitehead is COOKIN' this quarter with 12 points off the bench!!! pic.twitter.com/AdNXEX2Bhg

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 9, 2025​

“I will say it’s night and day, like I said, for me just trusting my body and stuff, and doing things that I haven’t done in two years, which is amazing for me,” said Whitehead, comparing his sophomore season to his first.

He continued: “Now that I’ve gone through these injuries, I’ve seen not to take it for granted, seeing that it could be taken away from any moment. You know, the NBA, the way your career is going, could change at the snap of a finger. So I just started not taking it for granted and making sure each and every day I went in there and tried to get better. You know, it’s a lot of people in this world that want my spot and want this place in the NBA.”

After that 4-of-18 start from deep, Brooklyn caught a team-wide fire, making 13 of their last 22. And given the quality of looks, it was only a matter of time.

Jordi Fernández said the adjustment was simple: “Just trust the shot. Keep shooting it and keep taking the right shots.”

His team built a lead as big as 20 in the second half, largely on the backs of their C-team. Even Tyrese Martin and Keon Johnson were out for this one, but Tyson Etienne hit a couple threes, Drew Timme put up 16 and 9, and a Tosan Evbuomwan three stuck the dagger into an ill-fated comeback attempt from the Pels.

It was a night of reprieve at Barclays Center, a break from previewing that ever important summer mentioned by the head coach and a break from any talk of tanking, with the bonus of New Orleans’ loss hurting the Philadelphia 76ers.

Reece Beekman may not have scored in his second NBA start, shooting 0-of-3, but his ten assists are nothing to scoff at. Neither is Tyson Etienne’s hustle, which provoked an earnest ovation from a home crowd overwhelmingly rooting for the home team, a crowd thrilled to see these type of theatrics...

pure athleticism & hustle on display from Tyson Etienne!!! pic.twitter.com/9ZNc80jD2q

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 9, 2025​

Postgame, Fernández explained why a win like Tuesday’s isn’t just a win that will float in the nether of of Basketball Reference. He even mentioned the “culture” word, then expounded: “I think it comes with the sweat equity, being there with the guys and having a good gym with good energy ... I’m very excited, because it’s like, continuity. That’s what we want. We don’t want to do something in one season and then start over. Like, this is a good beginning. These guys are driving [the culture]. They’re doing it on their own.”

It has not been easy to be on the 2024-25 Brooklyn Nets, as far as NBA careers go. Sure, many of them wouldn’t otherwise have a job if they weren’t playing for a 26-win team, but the franchise only hopes it is something more. The fans want a roster overhaul at best, and a demolition at worst. If all goes to plan, the 2024-25 will be a footnote in the franchise’s history.

But the individuals making up this Nets roster have given all they've had, and have played some joyful basketball inside the 94-by-50 this season. On Tuesday, we got to enjoy it too.

And the 76ers can go to hell.

Final Score: Brooklyn Nets 119, New Orleans Pelicans 114

Milestone Watch​

• Seven Nets reached double-figures, including five reserves, which marks a season-high.
• Ten assists (to just one turnover) obviously marks a career-high for the 23-year-old Reece Beekman.
• Beekman becomes the third rookie in the NBA this season with 10+ assists and one or fewer turnover in a game, joining Bub Carrington and Isaiah Collier.
• Brooklyn’s 43 points in the third quarter mark a season-high for any quarter.

Next Up​

Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Brooklyn’s season continues to wind down with a home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday night.

• Boxscore: Brooklyn Nets 119, New Orleans Pelicans 114 - NBA
• Game Highlights: Brooklyn Nets 119, New Orleans Pelicans 114 (Video) - NBA
• Trendon Watford scores 22 and the Nets beat the Pelicans 119-114 to snap a 5-game home skid - AP
• Nets erupt for 43 points in third quarter, hang on to beat Pelicans - Reuters
• Reserves lead Nets past Pelicans in battle of tanking teams - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets’ NBA draft options coming into focus as lottery draws near - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets’ Jordi Fernandez speaks on Nuggets’ decision to fire Mike Malone: ‘It’s part of this business but definitely shocking’ - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
• Jordi Fernandez’s ‘shocked’ reaction to Nuggets firing Michael Malone - Erik Slater - Clutch Points

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/8/24404300/nets-vs-pelicans-119-114-jose-alvarado-trendon-watford

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

LIVE DISCUSSION: Atlanta Hawks at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Winding down...

As Net Income wrote in the game preview, it all about evaluating the young guys. The tank is over. Brooklyn will finish with the sixth best odds at securing Cooper Flagg (9.0%) and a top four pick (37.2%.) And that’s that. Tonight, they welcome Trae Young and the Hawks to Barclays Center. Young is probable with an Achilles injury but Atlanta is competing for a play-in, so we’re expecting him to play.

NETS VS. HAWKS​

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Opponent: Atlanta Hawks (37-42)

Tune In: YES Network or Gotham Sports App on streaming devices; WFAN radio

Game Preview | Net Income​

Injuries: Nic Claxton (ankle), Day’Ron Sharpe (knee soreness), Cam Johnson (back) and D’Angelo Russell (ankle) are all out. Everyone else is available other than Cam Thomas (hamstring) and DeAnthony Melton (ACL).

The Game: The Nets are three games left including tonight. Same with the Hawks. Like we said, the Atlanta has something to play for and on paper, you’d think Brooklyn does not, but the players sure do. Of those available, one, Trendon Watford, is an unrestricted free agent, another, Ziaire Williams, is a restricted free agent while five others are on team options: Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Jalen Wilson, Maxwell Lewis and Drew Timme. A lot of money and careers are at stake here.

Please be respectful with your comments. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

While you’re at it, make sure to wish Net Income a happy belated!

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/10...on-atlanta-hawks-at-brooklyn-nets-7-30-p-m-et

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

Brooklyn Nets steamrolled by Atlanta Hawks, lose 133-109

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty

Jordi Fernández called it one of Brooklyn’s poorest performances of the season, and that was putting it kindly.

Maybe the Brooklyn Nets are acutely aware that, in the extremely unlikely scenario the Philadelphia 76ers win each of their final two games, the two teams can tie for the fifth-best NBA Draft Lottery odds.

Maybe the Atlanta Hawks are just clear of the low bar that is the injury-decimated New Orleans Pelicans.

“The one thing I’ve learned is the best player development is minutes, real minutes, right?” said Jordi Fernández before Nets-Hawks on Thursday night. “And you know, you can do all this one-on-one workouts, and teach a guy, and play five-on-five in practice, and so and so forth, and watch film with them. But throwing them into a real game and having to figure it out, there’s no better player development than that. Then when things happen, whether it’s positive or negative, it’s reinforcing the positive, cleaning up the negative.”

No matter what the Nets thought heading into the game, there were only negatives on Thursday night. The Atlanta Hawks led by 19 points after the first quarter, and soon after built their lead to 32 points, a lead they richly deserved.

The bench mob of Tyson Etienne, Jalen Wilson, Drew Timme, Tyrese Martin, and Tosan Evbuomwan all played nearly 30 minutes, but it’s fair to question if they really developed amid the butt-kicking, or just wished it was over with.

There was no defensive coverage against Trae Young that displayed any resistance, no minimal effort to get back in transition, and it was somehow unsurprising that Zaccharie Risacher dropped a career-high 38 points against the ghost of Brooklyn’s defense. He did not miss a single two-point look off elementary back-cuts and fast break run-outs...

HAWKS HAVING FUN ON THE FASTBREAK!!

Trae goes through the legs to Risacher for the slam pic.twitter.com/pEcMXfTCeB

— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2025​

Indeed, that is Trae Young throwing a between-the-legs alley-oop as part of his game-long clowning of Brooklyn. He laughed, but did not sweat on his way to 24 points and a dozen assists, going out of his way to deliver the flashiest passes possible against guys that didn’t seem to belong on the court with him.

He also did this to poor Tyson Etienne...

This was NASTY, Trae ‍

Around the world to fake out the defender and finish with the teardrop pic.twitter.com/5g7S2wrTtw

— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2025​

It was that type of blowout, a blowout that would have been disrespectful if the Nets didn’t bring it on themselves.

Unlike Tuesday’s victory over the Pelicans, the veterans didn’t show up to start the game. Ziaire Williams, Trendon Watford, and Nic Claxton did not set any sort of tone; none of those three scored in double digits.

Said Fernández: “We were not ready to play. I thought the coaches did a great job preparing and explaining the game plan, players yesterday had a great day and had great energy, so it’s on me too. I didn’t get them ready to play this game.”

The young guys put up some points on a barrage of threes, with Evbuomwan’s 18/6/3 and Wilson’s 20 points — including a career-high six threes — leading the way, but no statistical indicators could wash away what Brooklyn put on display.

“You make 22 threes and don’t have a chance to win the game, that blows my mind,” said Jordi Fernández. “That tells you how bad everything else is.”

Brooklyn’s head coach was willing to praise the effort of two players — Wilson and Martin, but noted that a two-out-of-ten ratio won’t cut it.

Either this loss does not matter in the long-run, which seems overwhelmingly likely, or it’s a tough pill to swallow after Fernández & Co. praised the culture-building effects of Tuesday’s victory.

It’s the former, and a dose of reality. Effort and team-spirit are fantastic. Just imagine if the Phoenix Suns played with the verve of the Brooklyn Nets this season. But Thursday’s loss isn’t a sign of doom at Barclays Center nor a referendum on the long-term plan of this franchise. This loss sucked because it was miserable to watch, but that’s the only difference between Brooklyn’s 54th loss and most of the previous 53.

Brooklyn needs talent for such spirit to matter, to truly matter.

But we knew that already.

Final Score: Atlanta Hawks 133, Brooklyn Nets 109

Milestone Watch​

Young guys playing means there will be milestones.

• Drew Timme recorded his second double-double with 13/11/6, marking a career-high in assists and rebounds, becoming the only rookie in the NBA this season to post a 10/10/5 game off the bench.
• He’s the first Nets rookie with a 10/10/5 game since Jarrett Allen (on February 7, 2018 at Detroit).
• Wilson’s 20-point outing ties his season-high, and marks the third 20-point outing of his career.
• Tyson Etienne’s 16 points mark a career-high.

Injury Report​

Postgame, Fernández told reporters that D’Angelo Russell, Cam Johnson and Day’Ron Sharpe will not be traveling for Brooklyn’s back-to-back on Friday night.

Though he refuses to commit to ruling the trio out for the remainder of the season (read: two games in three days), it appears that those veterans have served their purpose on the 2024-25 Brooklyn Nets. Thanks of a grateful Nets nation.

Next Up​

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

This back-to-back culminates with a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn’s final road game of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for Friday night at 9:00 p.m. ET.

• Boxscore: Atlanta Hawks 133, Brooklyn Nets 109 - NBA
• Game Highlights: Atlanta Hawks 133, Brooklyn Nets 109 (Video) - NBA
• Zaccharie Risacher’s CAREER-HIGH 38 PTS in Brooklyn (Video) - NBA
• Jalen Wilson on 20-point game in 133-109 loss to Hawks (Video) - NBA
• Risacher scores season-high 38 points as Hawks beat Nets 133-109 - AP
• Playing it out Nets torched by Trae Young in lopsided loss to Hawks that helps lottery odds - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• One ‘promising’ Nets quality will be put to test with NBA draft on horizon - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets envision mentorship role for D’Angelo Russell if retained beyond this season - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
• Nets crushed by Hawks 133-109 in penultimate home game - C.J. Holmes - New York Daily News
• In Rough Business, Nets Fernandez Will Come Out Of Lost-Cause Season With Enhanced Reputation - Steve Lichtenstein - Steve’s Newsletter

Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/10/24405787/nets-vs-hawks-133-109-trae-young-jalen-wilson

 

[Brooklyn Nets]

LIVE DISCUSSION: Brooklyn Nets at Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:00 p.m. ET

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Time to play spoiler...?

Pro-tankers it’s OK, you’re allowed to root for the Nets. The tank is over and the playoffs have been long out of reach. They do have a chance to play spoiler, if you’re into those kind of things. The Minnesota Timberwolves are fighting to avoid the play-in tournament, a Wild West late-season showdown which has them — and four other teams — within one game from the No. 4 through No. 8 seeds. The T’Wolves happen to be the eight-seed entering this game.

NETS VS. T’WOLVES​

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET

Opponent: Minnesota Timberwolves (47-33)

Tune In: WLNY (channel 55) on TV or Gotham Sports App; WFAN radio

Game Preview | Brian Fleurantin​

The Game: Individual shot creation is always important, and takes on even more importance in the postseason when possessions get scarcer and the difficulty goes up a few notches. Luckily, Anthony Edwards is here to save the day. The Ant Man is one of the most gifted scorers in basketball, and it was on full display last night as he tuned up the Grizz to the tune of 44 points on 13-19 shooting. When the Ant Man has it going, good luck stopping him.

Injury Report: No Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Day’Ron Sharpe, D’Angelo Russell, Noah Clowney, or DeAnthony Melton.

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Source: https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/4/11...yn-nets-at-minnesota-timberwolves-9-00-p-m-et