The Brooklyn Nets are making headlines this season, but not for the right reasons. They suffered a significant loss to the Detroit Pistons, who won 130-77 on Sunday. This 53-point margin is the largest victory in the Pistons’ history, which dates back to 1948. This loss came just 11 days after the New York Knicks defeated the Nets by 54 points, setting their own franchise record.
Nets’ Depth Issues Exposed
Sunday’s defeat was anticipated even before the game started. The Nets were without their leading scorer Michael Porter Jr., who was absent for personal reasons. Starting forward Noah Clowney had a back injury, and Ziaire Williams missed the game due to a sore calf. Combined, these players contribute 48.2 points and nearly 95 minutes of playing time each game.
The Nets’ situation is further complicated by their roster, which includes five rookie first-round picks. Of these, Egor Demin is the only rookie scoring in double digits with an average of 10.5 points, along with 3.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The team’s veterans aren’t performing well either. Terance Mann, at 29, is shooting just 45% and averaging 7.6 points per game. Cam Thomas scores 16 points but has a shooting percentage below 40%. Overall, the Nets have the lowest shooting percentage in the NBA.
Challenges Ahead for the Nets
Defensively, the Nets rank 26th in the league. They allow 114.7 points per game and do not commit many fouls, but opponents are shooting highly against them.
Moreover, the Nets are not performing poorly enough to improve their draft position. They are tied for the fourth-worst record in the NBA, which is crucial since the bottom four teams have better chances of securing the No. 1 overall pick. Brooklyn has a first-round pick swap with the Houston Rockets in 2027, making this year significant for their draft prospects.
This scenario suggests that Porter and other veterans may see even more time on the bench, contributing to a declining offense. As the season progresses, expect to see increased competition among the bottom teams as they vie for better draft placements.
With both the Pistons and Knicks setting franchise records against the Nets, they may not be the last teams to do so by 2026.