The Nets faced a tough defeat, losing 141-107 to the Hawks in front of 17,548 fans at Barclays Center.
With this loss, Brooklyn (18-59) remains tied for second in the lottery positioning, just half a game behind Washington and two games behind Sacramento, pending the Kings’ game against the Pelicans later that night.
Nick Claxton led the team with 16 points and five rebounds, while Malachi Smith contributed 15 points from the bench. Trevon Scott, who recently joined the team on a 10-day contract, scored six points in his debut. Meanwhile, Noah Clowney was ejected with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
CJ McCollum shone for the Hawks, scoring a game-high 25 points, helping the team secure 19 wins in their last 22 games.
Brooklyn had a rough night, committing 20 turnovers while forcing just 11. Coach Jordi Fernandez remarked on the poor performance, saying, “There’s obviously a high level of perimeter defense, but we didn’t execute well. It all started with our players struggling to move the ball up court in an organized manner. The turnovers—24 points off them—really defines where we fell short tonight.”
In terms of injuries, Michael Porter Jr. and rookie Danny Wolf are officially ruled out for the season. Fernandez mentioned, “Dayron [Sharpe] is out too; as for Mike and Danny, considering their rehab progress and where we’re at, they won’t be returning with just a week left.”
This update isn’t particularly surprising. Porter has been sidelined since March 10 due to a left hamstring strain, finishing the season with an impressive average of 24.2 points. Wolf, the last of Brooklyn’s five first-round picks, sprained his ankle on March 22, ending his rookie campaign with averages of 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds, improving to 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in his final games.
Fernandez expressed optimism about both players’ potential. “[Wolf] has shown he can do a variety of things this season. I’m really pleased with his development.”
He also spoke about Porter’s transition to a new role, emphasizing his growth since moving away from a championship team. “Michael’s been performing at an All-Star level; he certainly deserved that recognition. I want him to return motivated and continue to lead the team.”
As for the future, there’s speculation that Porter could be traded this summer. He is eligible for a max four-year contract extension worth $243 million, though it’s likely to be lower. When asked about his contributions, Fernandez mentioned he would consult with General Manager Sean Marks. “Personally, I believe he has adapted well to his new role and communicated effectively with the organization.”
On another note, Trevon Scott’s 10-day contract is now official, with both Claxton and Clowney expected to play against the Hawks in their next outing.
