PHILADELPHIA — The Nets’ disappointing season is finally over and they were mercifully put out of their misery Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center.
The campaign, for the most part, ended in a lopsided defeat.
The Nets lost 107-86 to Philadelphia, ending their worst season in years.
Brooklyn finished 11th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 32 wins and 50 losses, and missed the play-in tournament.
“We wanted to make the playoffs. It’s been a while since we didn’t make the playoffs, so we’re a little disappointed,” Dorian Finney-Smith said. “But I’m ready for the offseason. I started the year playing well, but personally it’s been a season of ups and downs. So all I can work on is myself. . We have to do better.”
This marks the Nets’ worst mark since the 2017-18 season, the last time they missed the postseason.
“We have potential. We have a lot of potential and we have to unlock it. I don’t think anyone is going to come and have another season like this,” Noah Clowney said. said. “I think we learned from it and grew from it. But how much was the loss? Too much. But I think we learned from it and grew from it and… We have the potential to be a much better team than I think we just played.”
If that happens, Clowney will likely play a role.
The 19-year-old rookie is the fourth-youngest player in the NBA, but he showed potential after a slow start and a down year.
Clowney, who played alongside starting center Nick Claxton rather than backing him up, had 16 points, four rebounds and one block.
And in his final six games, he averaged 13.5 points, seven boards, 2.2 blocks and shot .471 from deep, giving Brooklyn fans at least a glimmer of hope.
A small piece.
Cam Thomas, only 22, led the Nets with 18 points.
Claxton, an unrestricted free agent, added six points and eight boards in his short 20 minutes of action.
He was four rebounds shy of averaging a double-double.
And the Nets failed to achieve their postseason goals.
“Certainly, definitely, we have that chemistry,” said Lonnie Walker, another free agent who added 12 points. “But you live and learn and continue to grow. And that’s all you can ask for. I’m excited about the future the Nets see and I’m excited for my teammates. ing”
Mikal Bridges scored eight points in 24 minutes, 50 seconds and was held in the fourth quarter for the third straight game.
However, he played in every game, achieving 474 consecutive games since entering the league.
“I want to mention that Mikal has played in every game this season and is doing what he did this offseason,” interim coach Kevin O’Ree said. “He’s a great person to be around and his ability to be available, his availability, is a great trait. And a lot of people don’t talk about it, but he played every game. That’s amazing, and I hope that record continues.”
