The Brooklyn Nets hit a new low on Wednesday night, suffering a staggering 29-point defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a tough night offensively for Brooklyn, who managed just 92 points overall and a mere 11 points in a dismal first quarter.
This latest loss marks a troubling trend for the Nets, who have now dropped 15 of their last 17 games, inching perilously close to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Adding to their woes, the Nets received disappointing news regarding Michael Porter Jr.'s hamstring injury. NBA insider Ian Begley reports that Porter Jr. is expected to be sidelined for another two to three weeks due to a hamstring strain confirmed by a recent MRI. This setback means Porter Jr. will miss more time, having already sat out the last four games since his last appearance against the Detroit Pistons on March 10.
When Porter Jr. has been on the court, he's been a bright spot for the Nets. In 52 games this season, he's averaging an impressive 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, three assists, and 1.1 steals per game. These numbers represent career highs, surpassing his previous best scoring average of 19 points per game with the Nuggets in the 2020-21 season.
Without Porter Jr.'s scoring prowess, the Nets face an uphill battle. Even with him playing most of the season, Brooklyn ranks last in the league for points scored per game, averaging just 106.4-trailing the next lowest team, the Kings, by 4.3 points.
Currently sitting at a 17-52 record, the Nets are set to host their in-state rivals, the New York Knicks, on Thursday. Following that, they embark on a challenging four-game West Coast road trip, starting Sunday in Sacramento.