The Brooklyn Nets are navigating the final stretch of their 2025-26 NBA season, hoping to end on a high note. They recently snapped a 10-game losing streak with an impressive 23-point comeback victory against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. Despite this, the Nets remain one of the league's struggling teams.
Before their victory, the Nets had a daunting record, losing their last 17 games against teams with winning records and holding a league-worst 1-43 record in games where they trailed by double digits. This week, they managed to climb from 28th to 27th in the power rankings, but the focus might be on securing a favorable draft position.
Brooklyn's remaining schedule includes seven games against teams in the league's bottom 10, with five of those at home. This gives them the fifth-easiest schedule as they prepare to face the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
The Nets are dealing with the absence of rookie guard Egor Demin, who is out for the season due to plantar fasciitis. With the fourth-worst record in the league, Brooklyn might strategically aim for a bottom-3 finish to maximize their draft lottery odds for the coveted first overall pick.
Veterans like Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton might see limited action as the season winds down, with both players nursing injuries. As they face the Hawks, the Nets will be without Porter (right ankle sprain), rookie guard Nolan Traore (rest), and backup center Day'Ron Sharpe (left thumb sprain), indicating a cautious approach to player health in this challenging season.