Nets must find a way to make Ben Simmons-Nic Claxton pairing effective
The pairing of Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton on the court together has not been effective due to spacing issues and low offensive ratings.
Former coach Jacque Vaughn and interim coach Kevin Ollie have struggled to address the challenges posed by Simmons and Claxton sharing the court. [ more ]
Nets Rumors: Mikal Bridges Unlikely to Be Dealt Again After Kevin Durant Trade
Nic Antaya/Getty Images The Brooklyn Nets reportedly aren't expected to trade wing Mikal Bridges prior to Thursday's NBA trade deadline at 3 p.m.According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there has been a "wealth of interest" expressed in Bridges, but the Nets intend to keep him.Brooklyn reportedly acquired Bridges along with Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four unprotected first-round picks in a blockbuster trade late Wednesday night that sent Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren to the Phoenix Suns.
The Nets were snoozing their way through an opportunity to lengthen their lead in the ongoing race with Miami for the coveted sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.Then, they finally sounded the alarm.Cameron Johnson scored 31 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining, as Brooklyn used a late burst to sneak past the slumping Houston Rockets, 123-114, in front of 17,074 relieved fans at Downtown's Barclays Center.
Nets snap losing skid in style by blowing out the Heat in Miami in must-win for playoff seeding
It was a game the Nets had to have.And they flew down to South Beach and took it.The stakes were greater Saturday night at FTX Arena than they've been at any point this season: Win and leapfrog the Miami Heat in the standings for sole ownership of the Eastern Conference's final guaranteed playoff seed.
Donovan Mitchell committed lane violation on game-winning play vs. Nets, NBA concludes
Donovan Mitchell did, indeed, jump the gun.The NBA concluded in its Last Two Minutes (L2M) Report that officials failed to properly whistle Mitchell for a lane violation when he rebounded his own missed free throw with the Cavaliers down one on the game's final possession.Instead of a whistle - which would have given the Nets possession of the ball up one with only seconds left on the clock - Mitchell attempted to put-back his own miss.
Nets' poor shooting night dooms Brooklyn once again in loss to Cavs | amNewYork
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry, left, and forward Cameron Johnson (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in New York.BROOKLYN There was still 10:53 left in the fourth quarter when Donovan Mitchell posterized Yuta Watanabe during Tuesday's Nets game against the Cavaliers.
Nets lose 4th in a row; rally late and fall short to Cavs, 115-109
No wonder the Cavaliers want the Nets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs this season.If that hypothetical series goes anything like the Nets' 115-109 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday, Cleveland may as well own a first-round bye.Reports emerged out of Cleveland on March 17 suggesting Cavaliers personnel prefer to face the reeling Nets in the first round of the playoffs over any other opponent.
Nets' slow start proves too much in loss to Nuggets | amNewYork
BROOKLYN - The Denver Nuggets may not have looked like themselves when they faced the Knicks, but the Nets got a not-so-friendly reminder of why they are the top team in the Western Conference.Brooklyn struggled for nearly all of the game shooting a dismal 12-of-35 from three-point range and below 50% from the field in a 108-102 loss to the Nuggets.
Jacque Vaughn: Ben Simmons limited to individual practice, 'hasn't scripted' with first or second group
Embattled Nets star Ben Simmons has been limited to individual on-court work in practice as he battles a combination of left knee and back soreness that has sidelined him since the NBA All-Star break.Simmons missed his 15th straight game due to what the team has deemed left knee/back soreness, watching from the sidelines during Brooklyn's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
The Nets were a half away from a very successful road trip Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.Then, the third quarter happened.Brooklyn blew a 10-point lead following intermission and never seriously challenged thereafter, absorbing a 121-107 defeat to the Thunder in front of 16,976 fans at the Paycom Center.
Nets extend winning streak to 9 with 125-117 win over Cavs
CLEVELAND (AP) - Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant each scored 32 points and the Nets extended their longest winning streak since moving to Brooklyn to nine games with a 125-117 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.The Nets withstood a sensational 46-point performance by Darius Garland, who single-handedly kept the Cavs close in the fourth.
Nets sign head coach Jacque Vaughn to multi-year extension | amNewYork
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.The Nets signed head coach Jacque Vaughn to a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday, ensuring he will be in Brooklyn for the foreseeable future.Vaughn has been running the Nets bench since Nov. 1 after the organization parted ways with Steve Nash and he was given the full-time gig eight days later.
Nets lose 129-127 to Hawks after Trae Young buries buzzer-beating floater
It was almost poetic.Here were the Nets, who trailed by as many as 18 in Sunday's loss to the Hawks in Atlanta, figuring out how to close games now that their superstars are gone - only for a superstar on the other end to put the nail in the coffin.After Cam Johnson nailed a three to tie the game at 127 apiece, Hawks star Trae Young drove the lane, pump faked and threw up a floater that left his hands just in time and swished through the net at the buzzer to lift the Hawks to a 129-127 victory in Atlanta.
Who needs two superstars when you have one Mikal Bridges?While that may sound like blasphemy to some, Bridges continued to prove Tuesday night in Houston that he was the most important return chip in the trade deadline deals that sent Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant out of Brooklyn.The wiry small forward poured in 30 points, handed out five assists, blocked two shots and picked up a steal en route to his latest virtuoso effort, spearheading the resurgent Nets to their third straight win, a 118-96 triumph over the Rockets in front of 14,833 fans at the Toyota Center.
Daniel Gafford is on pace to break this former Wilt Chamberlain record
One of the few bright spots for the Washington Wizards, Daniel Gafford has had an excellent season.Along with Delon Wright and Kyle Kuzma, he has been one of the success stories of an otherwise disappointing season.In fact, he has been so good this season that he has played his way into reach of a record that used to belong to the late-great Wilt Chamberlain.
Nets signing center Nerlens Noel to 10-day contract
Nerlens Noel is signing a 10-day contract with the Nets, according to his agent George Langberg.The center completed a buyout with the Detroit Pistons this week after appearing in 14 games with the team.The Nets are bringing in Noel to add size off the bench.The team relies on Nic Claxton, who was considered to be a dark horse candidate for Defensive Player of the Year this season, but don't have any other center on the roster besides Day'Ron Sharpe.
Nets superstar duo driving force behind turnaround
Kyrie Irving has been involved in plenty of off-the-court drama since signing with the Nets in 2019, but it's safe to say he has also been one of the key reasons for the Nets' current 12-3 run over their last 15 games.A run that began just after Irving had returned from his eight-game suspension.It was Kevin Durant that led the charge in Sunday's win over the Detroit Pistons with 43 points, but the duo of Durant and Irving combined for 81 points.
Nets attempt to expand Kyrie Irving trade falls short as GM looks to bolster roster before deadline | amNewYork
Note: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links, Schneps Media may earn a commission.AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
BROOKLYN - The Nets made the Kyrie Irving trade official a little more than an hour before they tipped off against the Los Angeles Clippers and after a whirlwind afternoon that saw general manager Sean Marks try to add a third team to the deal.
Nets Nic Claxton: 'I feel that I am one of the best defenders in the league' | amNewYork
Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams As the Nets have turned their season around, one key player has emerged that isn't named Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving has been Nic Claxton.As one of the lone big men on the Nets roster, Claxton's importance has become clear night in and night out and night out.
Nets pick up fourth straight win in victory over Raptors | amNewYork
The Nets win never seemed to be in doubt on Friday night at Barclays Center, even as the Toronto Raptors closed the gap late n the fourth quarter.Brooklyn had set season highs for first-quarter points (41) and points in a half (72) and picked up their fourth consecutive victory with a 114-105 win over Toronto.
Jacque Vaughn's message to Nets: 'No excuses' while Kevin Durant is out | amNewYork
Jacquie Vaughn seemed to have just one message for the Nets on Wednesday when they returned to the practice court: "No excuses."The Nets will not have Kevin Durant for the next month after he suffered an isolated MCL sprain of the right knee in Sunday's win over Miami.Brooklyn is now tasked with surviving the extended stretch without their franchise cornerstone on the floor.
Wizards vs. Nets preview: Washington looks to end losing streak on Monday
The Washington Wizards, losers of six straight, are in dire straits right now.It doesn't get any easier as they host a red-hot Brooklyn Nets side.Game Info Game Time: Monday, December 12 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. How to watch: NBC Sports Washington WIZARDS - Anthony Gill, QUESTIONABLE (heel); Monte Morris, QUESTIONABLE (groin); Delon Wright, OUT (hamstring); Rui Hachimura, OUT (ankle); Bradley Beal, OUT (hamstring) NETS - Nic Claxton, QUESTIONABLE (hamstring); Royce O'Neale, OUT (personal reasons) The Nets come into this one as winners of seven of their last eight contests and have rocketed up to fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.