Nets Fall Short Against Warriors Despite Strong Defense
Last month, the NBA’s top defense couldn’t quite hold up against the league’s premier shooters.
The Brooklyn Nets were defeated by Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors, 120-107, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 18,163 at Barclays Center, marking the end of their impressive three-game winning streak.
This time, the home crowd was genuinely supportive, which might have stemmed from the Nets winning seven out of their last ten games or the anticipation around their performance that had them leading the league in both scoring and field goal defense. Unfortunately, that momentum fell flat.
“Our team has something special. We’re leading in ball movement and the number of passes per game. We don’t rely heavily on pick-and-roll plays. It’s more about off-ball movement and fluidity. You can’t really grasp it until you’ve experienced it, especially for our younger guys,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “We plan on testing our limits. We’re beyond just the traditional strategies.”
Despite their solid defense, which had kept five consecutive opponents below 108 points—a notable feat this season—the Nets couldn’t capitalize. Curry led all scorers with 27 points, while Jimmy Butler contributed with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists. The emphasis on defense is something Brooklyn is looking to build on as they move forward with their rebuilding phase.
Michael Porter Jr. also had a standout game, netting 27 points and grabbing nine rebounds, making five of his nine attempts from beyond the arc.
Rookie Egor Demin has been making waves lately too, scoring a Nets rookie record of 23 points with a career-high 7-of-14 from three-point range.
Even though the Nets managed to limit Golden State to 10-of-33 from behind the arc, their efforts were not enough for a win. Interestingly, these defensive capabilities were noted by Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
“Their athleticism and length create numerous defensive challenges,” Kerr remarked.
The game started favorably for the Nets, with Porter setting the pace. Nick Claxton’s basket (15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks) pushed the Nets ahead 28-15 with just over four minutes left in the first quarter.
Even as the Warriors began to find their footing, the Nets still maintained a slim lead until a significant shift in momentum occurred.
While the Nets had effectively restrained Curry initially, allowing him just 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting in the early going, that grip loosened as the game progressed.
A call on Terrence Mann, which Curry disputed, seemed to ignite him. He quickly launched into a scoring spree, outpacing Brooklyn 10-2 in a matter of minutes, capped by a flashy step-back three-pointer while gesturing animatedly.
Suddenly trailing, the Nets found themselves down 74-71 midway through the third quarter, eventually entering the final quarter at 89-85.
As the game unfolded, the Warriors expanded their lead to 97-88, converting on key plays. Brooklyn made a push, with Demin’s three pulling them closer at 98-95, but they ultimately fell short.
Despite the loss, this was a valuable experience for the young players, benefiting from game time as four of the five first-round picks were in rotation.
“Things seem to be progressing well,” Kerr noted, reflecting on the Nets’ performance. “They’ve been impressive in recent matchups. The rebuilding process is crucial, and it looks like Jordi is doing a fantastic job developing the players and creating a strong team environment. Winning seven out of ten games and having the league’s best defense in December shows they’re on the right track.”
