The Barclays Center crowd saw the Nets look and feel like new lows Saturday night.
Just when it seemed like it was just a lack of attention, another blow struck.
With long-term injuries to Cam Thomas (left hamstring) and Cam Johnson (right ankle), and Ben Simmons nursing a sore left calf late in the game, the Nets lost veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell. He assembled the 18th starting member. .
That was until the one-time All-Star left the game at halftime and was unable to return due to a bruised right shin.
This resulted in a complete reshuffle, playing the backups who didn't survive the 123-94 loss to the 76ers.
Before tip-off, head coach Jordi Fernandez said he would continue to treat the injury “by committee” and that it would be a “good challenge” for his team.
It turned out to be a challenge.
The fight for continuity continues.
The varsity vs. JV scrimmage with the 76ers continues after a tough third quarter in which Keon Johnson led at the time and the 76ers went on a 27-19 run to take a commanding 91-66 lead into the final quarter. It looked like he was leading by up to 30 people.
With a bruise on my right shin. Jason Suzens, New York Post
Court time was given to Reece Beekman, acquired in the Dennis Schroder trade, and Englishman Tothan Ebbuomwan, who made his debut after being called up by the Long Island Nets.
Fernandez pulled the remaining starters, Nic Claxton and Ziare Williams, onto the court midway through the third quarter.
Both returned for just two minutes in the fourth quarter, playing alongside Johnson, Ebbuomwan and Tyrese Martin. The Nets were unable to do much damage to Philadelphia as they continued to shoot a poor 40 percent from the field.
The Nets (13-22) also committed 22 turnovers and scored 32 Philadelphia points.
The 76ers also benefited from a parade to the free throw line, making 24 of 30 attempts.
Williams led the Nets with 19 points and 3 rebounds, followed by Johnson (15 points), Jalen Wilson (11 points), and Claxton with 10 points and 4 rebounds.
Martin added 16 points off the bench.
Joel Embiid recorded a double-double with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey had 18 points, and Caleb Martin and Paul George each had 17 points.
Thanks to Russell, the Nets were able to stay within 12 points of the 76ers for much of the first half, but they quickly found themselves tied to first-half turnovers (13 of 19) and foul shot attempts (16 of 11 fouls). turned out to be too expensive.
After Williams lobbed Claxton to get within 10 points, Johnson committed a double dribble violation that led to Caleb Martin's open layup.
On the next play, a poor pass by Russell caused George to drop to the other side and take a 3-point shot.
This gave the 76ers a 64-47 lead at the half.
The Nets took an early 11-0 lead. But 3-pointers by George and Caleb Martin, and a 3-point play by Martin after Wilson's shooting foul, helped the 76ers tie the game at 13-all.
The 76ers then went on a 16-6 run to end the first quarter, but that only affected the rest of the game.
