The Brooklyn Nets faced a tough afternoon against the Atlanta Hawks, falling 115-104 at State Farm Arena. This loss extends their losing streak to four games and drops their record to 15-41. Despite a promising start, the Nets couldn't maintain their momentum in the crucial moments.
Brooklyn's offense showed signs of life early on, a stark contrast to their recent struggles in Oklahoma City. The ball movement was fluid, and shots were dropping.
However, the fourth quarter painted a different picture. After shooting an impressive 50.8% through three quarters, the Nets went cold, hitting just 27.3% in the final frame.
They also committed five turnovers, allowing Atlanta to outscore them 26-17 in the closing stretch.
Michael Porter Jr. led the charge for Brooklyn with 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Nic Claxton made a notable return from a three-game absence, contributing 15 points and eight rebounds. Five Nets players reached double figures, but it wasn't enough to counter Atlanta's late-game surge.
Jalen Johnson was the standout for the Hawks, delivering a commanding performance with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists.
Claxton wasted no time making an impact, working seamlessly with Porter, who quickly found his rhythm. Brooklyn's rookies also stepped up, with Drake Powell providing an early spark off the bench. He nailed a step-back three and followed it with a strong drive to the basket.
Yet, Atlanta had their own answers. Jock Landale came off the bench to score 10 early points, helping the Hawks edge ahead 32-30 after the first quarter. Day’Ron Sharpe’s emphatic block on Landale hinted at Brooklyn's potential to sustain their effort, and for much of the afternoon, they did just that.
The Nets briefly took a five-point lead in the second quarter, but Atlanta responded with a 10-2 run to lead 60-56 at halftime. Despite shooting 51.2% and getting contributions from nine different players, Brooklyn trailed due to a 31-17 rebounding deficit and Landale's continued influence, as he carried 15 points into the break.
Claxton flirted with a triple-double by halftime, keeping the Nets competitive. The third quarter started with an 8-0 Nets run, driven by Egor Dëmin’s playmaking, momentarily putting them back in front. The game then settled into a tight contest, with Atlanta holding a slim 89-87 lead entering the fourth.
Brooklyn's best stretch came early in the final quarter. A Terance Mann three-pointer gave them a 102-91 lead, their largest of the afternoon. When the lead extended to 11, it seemed Brooklyn was in control.
But Atlanta had other plans. They responded with a 6-0 run, and the game quickly turned tense for the Nets.
The Hawks closed with a decisive 24-2 burst, as Brooklyn's offense unraveled. Shots stopped falling, turnovers increased, and possessions that once looked sharp turned hurried and ineffective.
By the final buzzer, what could have been a poised road performance turned into another late-game lesson for the Nets.
Brooklyn will look to bounce back when they host the Dallas Mavericks at Barclays Center on Tuesday.