After opening the season with a brutal seven-game skid, the Brooklyn Nets have started to show signs of life. Winners of four of their last six, the Nets are finally finding some rhythm-but before anyone gets too comfortable, it’s worth noting that the real test is just around the corner.
Yes, the recent uptick has been encouraging, but context matters. Brooklyn’s last six games came against teams that, as of now, all sit below .500: the Hornets, Bulls, Jazz, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Bucks.
It’s a stretch that offered some breathing room after a punishing start to the season. But that cushion is gone.
Ahead lies a gauntlet.
Seven of the Nets' next nine games are against teams with winning records. That includes a back-to-back at home this week against the Miami Heat (14-12) and the Toronto Raptors (16-11). And for a team that’s just 3-10 at Barclays Center, home court hasn’t exactly been a fortress.
Brooklyn hasn’t seen the Heat yet this season, but they’ve already had two cracks at the Raptors-and both ended in double-digit defeats, with the average margin sitting at 10 points. That’s not just a stat; it’s a reminder of how much sharper this team needs to be if it wants to hang with playoff-caliber opponents.
One area that’s quietly been a bright spot? The frontcourt trio of Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, and Nic Claxton.
When those three share the floor, the Nets have outscored opponents by 5.9 points per 100 possessions over 350 minutes. That’s not a small sample.
That’s a real trend-and it’s something the Nets will need to lean on heavily if they want to keep this momentum going.
Health, of course, will be key. If Porter Jr., Clowney, and Claxton are all available, Brooklyn has a legitimate shot to compete in these upcoming matchups. But if any piece of that frontcourt puzzle is missing, the margin for error shrinks fast.
The good news? The Nets will finally get a rest-advantage game when they host the Raptors on Sunday-a scheduling quirk that’s had them playing catch-up all season. It’s a small edge, but in a league where every possession counts, it could make a difference.
Bottom line: the Nets have shown they can beat struggling teams. Now it’s time to see if they can hang with the ones that are actually winning. This next stretch won’t just test their talent-it’ll test their toughness, their depth, and whether this recent surge is the start of something real or just a blip on the radar.