The Brooklyn Nets walked into Sunday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Dallas Mavericks-a game that slipped away late thanks to a strong fourth quarter from Anthony Davis. But just hours before tip-off, the Nets were hit with an unexpected curveball of their own: head coach Jordi Fernandez would not be on the sideline.
Fernandez was ruled out due to illness, marking the first game he’s missed since taking over as Brooklyn’s head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. In his absence, top assistant Steve Hetzel stepped in to lead the team. The move made sense-Hetzel has been Fernandez’s right-hand man since both arrived in Brooklyn last season, and he’s well-versed in the system and the players.
"He's doing well. He calls himself a specimen," Hetzel joked during his pregame media availability.
"He tested positive for the flu but has no fever, so he feels good. I talked to him this morning, I saw him.
He was in here [at Barclays Center] and in good spirits. But I think it's just best for him to get some rest."
That kind of light-hearted confidence from Hetzel is a reflection of the culture Fernandez has been building in Brooklyn, even during a stretch that’s been more about growth than wins. The Nets are still firmly in rebuild mode, and Fernandez’s 32-74 record (.302) as head coach reflects that reality more than it does his coaching ability.
What Fernandez has done well-consistently-is put his players in positions to succeed. That’s been his calling card dating back to his time with the Sacramento Kings as associate head coach, and even earlier during his player development work with the Denver Nuggets.
One of the standout examples of that impact is forward Michael Porter Jr., who worked closely with Fernandez during their shared time in Denver from 2018 to 2022. Porter’s growth during those years wasn’t by accident-Fernandez played a key role in helping him find his rhythm and confidence at the NBA level.
So while Sunday’s game came with a few surprises, the Nets were still operating under the framework Fernandez has been putting in place. And with Hetzel stepping in seamlessly, it’s clear that Brooklyn’s coaching staff is aligned and ready to weather short-term absences without losing sight of the long-term picture.