The Brooklyn Nets wrapped up their three-game road trip with another frustrating loss, this time falling 116-113 to the New Orleans Pelicans. And while the final score was close, the story was all too familiar: a fourth-quarter lead squandered, second-chance points surrendered, and another winnable game slipping through their fingers.
Brooklyn led by as many as 12 points in this one, but their inability to control the glass proved costly. The Pelicans racked up 18 offensive rebounds, converting those into a staggering 33 second-chance points-an avalanche the Nets simply couldn’t withstand. Despite flashes of promise from their young core, the Nets head home winless on this road swing, now sitting at 11-27 on the season.
Let’s break down three key takeaways from Wednesday’s loss in New Orleans:
1. Michael Porter Jr. Fights Through an Off Night
On the final day of All-Star voting, Michael Porter Jr. was clearly looking to make a statement. He was aggressive from the jump, but the efficiency just wasn’t there. Porter finished with 20 points and seven boards, but needed 19 shots to get there, going just 7-of-19 from the field and 4-of-11 from deep.
It wasn’t for lack of effort-Porter was active, hunting his shot and trying to carry the offensive load-but the touch just wasn’t falling. And in a game that came down to the final possessions, those missed opportunities loomed large. Still, his willingness to take on the scoring burden is something this Nets team needs, especially with a young roster still finding its identity.
2. Drake Powell Delivers in a Surprise Start
With Terance Mann out of the starting lineup, rookie Drake Powell got the nod-and he made the most of it. The 20-year-old showed poise and versatility, finishing with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three. He added five rebounds and two assists in just 24 minutes of action.
Powell’s game stood out not just for the numbers, but for how he got them. He moved well without the ball, made smart cuts, and didn’t force the issue.
For a rookie still adjusting to the NBA pace, this was a mature performance. Head coach Jordi Fernandez took a calculated risk by keeping Powell in the starting five, and it paid off-even if the final score didn’t.
3. Egor Demin Shows Two-Way Impact
After sitting out Monday’s game in Dallas to manage a lingering plantar fascia issue, Egor Demin returned to the lineup and looked refreshed. The rookie guard turned in one of his most complete performances of the season, posting 17 points, five assists, a steal, and a block in 29 minutes. He shot 6-of-10 from the field and knocked down 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.
What stood out most was Demin’s composure. He played under control, made the right reads, and limited mistakes-just one turnover all night.
Defensively, he held his own, showing the kind of discipline and awareness that’s rare for a first-year player. If this is the version of Demin the Nets can count on going forward, they’ve got something to build around.
The Bigger Picture
This was a game the Nets could have-and arguably should have-won. But the recurring issues that have plagued them all season reared their heads again: late-game execution, rebounding, and closing out possessions. Giving up 33 second-chance points is a recipe for disaster, no matter how well you shoot or how promising your young players look.
Trey Murphy III torched Brooklyn for 34 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, and the Pelicans simply outworked the Nets when it mattered most. That’s the kind of edge Brooklyn has to find if they want to start turning these close losses into wins.
The road trip ends without a victory, but there are silver linings. Powell and Demin continue to show growth, and Porter remains a central figure in the offense, even on an off night.
But moral victories only go so far. If the Nets want to shift the trajectory of their season, they’ll need to start stringing together complete games-and that starts with doing the dirty work on the boards.