The Brooklyn Nets got some tough news over the Thanksgiving break - they were officially eliminated from the NBA In-Season Tournament before even stepping on the court for their final group game. It’s a frustrating reality for a team still trying to find its rhythm this season.
While the tournament was never the end-all goal, missing out on a shot at the NBA Cup certainly stings. But with elimination comes a scheduling twist: two new games have been added to fill the gap left by the tournament bracket.
The NBA announced that Brooklyn will now face the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks to round out their schedule during the tournament’s knockout phase. This is part of the league’s built-in flexibility - every team had open dates in case they didn’t advance, and now those dates are being filled with standard regular-season matchups.
Let’s start with Dallas. The Nets haven’t seen the Mavericks yet this season, and this upcoming game brings some intriguing storylines.
Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg is already turning heads in his first year, and he’ll be on the floor alongside veteran star Anthony Davis. There’s also a chance Kyrie Irving could suit up, depending on his recovery from a knee injury.
If he does play, it’ll be a reunion of sorts - Kyrie facing the Nets, the team he left amidst plenty of headlines. That alone adds a layer of drama to the matchup.
As for the Bucks, that’s a more familiar opponent. Brooklyn just saw them over the weekend in Milwaukee, where they came up short in a 116-99 loss.
That game exposed some of the Nets’ ongoing issues - inconsistent offense, defensive lapses, and an inability to match up with the Bucks’ physicality. Getting another crack at Milwaukee, this time at home, gives Brooklyn a quick chance to respond and show some growth.
Here’s how the added games shake out for the Nets:
- At Mavericks
- Vs. Bucks
These aren’t just filler games - they’re opportunities. For a Brooklyn team still trying to carve out its identity, every matchup matters. Whether it’s building chemistry, testing themselves against playoff-caliber teams, or simply stacking wins, these two games could play a bigger role in shaping their season than the standings might suggest.