The Brooklyn Nets had this one in hand for long stretches, then let it slip away when it mattered most.
Brooklyn fell 124-121 to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, a result that left the Nets still searching for a clean finish to the start of their four-game road trip. The Nets had just picked up their second win of the season on Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets, the same team they beat in the season-opener, but they couldn’t carry that momentum through the fourth quarter in Atlanta.
Michael Porter Jr. was Brooklyn’s top scorer with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Julius Randle turned in a strong all-around line with 19 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Still, the Nets couldn’t close the door after building advantages over the first three quarters.
Atlanta, meanwhile, won despite leading for only 3% of the game. Jalen Johnson powered the Hawks with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and that was enough to swing a game Brooklyn had chances to put away.
Here’s how the Nets graded out in the loss:
Nolan Traore earned an A for the way his confidence continues to grow on offense. He kept getting into the paint with ease and showed comfort pulling up for threes and finishing with floaters in the lane.
Danny Wolf got a B after moving into the starting lineup following his strong showing against Charlotte. He didn’t have a huge shooting night, but he took solid looks and was active on the boards.
Porter received an A for carrying Brooklyn’s scoring load while also continuing to rebound at a high level. His three-point shot wasn’t falling efficiently, but he still found good looks and did his part on the glass.
Randle checked in with a B+ after scoring from different spots on the floor and showing more patience in how he hunted his shots. He also rebounded and defended well, though the turnovers were a problem and hurt the flow of the offense.
Day’Ron Sharpe was the standout with an A+. After an uneven start to the season, he delivered a game that showed exactly why he can be such a difficult matchup. He finished in the paint and repeatedly set up teammates with sharp passing.
Noah Clowney earned a B- for staying in the rotation and contributing in other ways even though the shot wasn’t falling from deep. He rebounded well and competed defensively against Atlanta’s physical approach.
Mo Wagner got a C+ after making the most of limited touches around the rim. He scored efficiently enough and brought his usual energy and physicality, though he could have done more on the glass.
Terance Mann was given a C- for providing the kind of steady bench presence Jordi Fernandez has been looking for. His numbers didn’t jump off the page, but he stayed composed and helped Brooklyn hold its shape.
Mikel Brown Jr. received a B- after a rough shooting night for most of the game. He came through with key baskets in the fourth quarter, giving the Nets a needed lift when their offense started to stall.
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Jordi Fernndez got a useful look at something different in the fourth quarter against Charlotte, and it helped carry the Nets to a 114-104 win. Instead of leaning on the usual late-game mix, Brooklyn kept reserves Danny Wolf and Terance Mann on the floor, and the move paid off as the group helped the Nets separate in the final period.
Julius Randle still did his part with 22 points, but he also showed the kind of selflessness coaches love when a game starts tilting in the right direction. The bigger question now is whether Fernndez treats that stretch as a one-off adjustment or the start of a new closing formula, especially with Wolf and Mann making a strong case to stay in the mix when games tighten up. [Read more 🡒]
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Jordi Fernndez had some lineup choices to explain afterward, including his decision to ride with other options down the stretch even after Nolan Traor had flashed earlier in the game. But the bigger conversation around this one will be the collapse itself, because a 124-121 loss after controlling so much of the night tends to linger longer than any individual bright spot. [Read more 🡒]