Gutted Nets blown out at home by Joel Embiid, 76ers
Jan 04, 2025
Things are getting rough in Brooklyn.
The Nets reached double-digit wins and were just three games under .500 on Dec. 4. Saturday’s 123-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center marked seven losses in 10 tries, dropping them to 13-22 this season.
The tank appears to be in full motion and has shown no signs of slowing down. Between ceaseless injuries and fluctuating personnel, how can any team find success in these conditions?
“We all understand it’s part of the business and it’s what we signed up for,” Keon Johnson said. “But one thing we can control is what’s in front of us.”
Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Ben Simmons and Trendon Watford headlined Brooklyn’s lengthy inactive list. D’Angelo Russell did not play in the second half because of a right shin contusion, which left head coach Jordi Fernandez with a completely gutted roster that had no answer for Sixers stars Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid.
The Nets raced out to an 11-0 start behind a pair of Ziaire Williams 3-pointers, and that was basically their highlight of the night. Embiid took over the paint and Philadelphia ended the first quarter on a 29-8 run to go up 10 entering the second.
It was a 64-47 game at halftime and a 91-66 game through three quarters. And as the Sixers continued to systematically dismantle Brooklyn down the stretch, most of the Barclays Center crowd sat in silence, only to rise for the t-shirt toss with 6:50 left. Brooklyn trailed 102-76 at that point.
Embiid led Philadelphia with 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes. The Sixers, who shot 51.2% from the field and made 15 3-pointers, were gifted 32 points off 22 Brooklyn turnovers.
“We compiled a lot of mistakes,” Fernandez said. “I told the guys it’s OK when you have a mistake because you always have a chance to get it back, but it’s always hard when you make a mistake, you’re thinking about the mistake, and then you make another one… compiling those mistakes is like when runs happen.”
Williams stepped up and led the Nets with 19 points (6-for-9 shooting), three rebounds and two assists in his eighth start of the season. Williams tied a career high with four made 3-pointers, and Keon Johnson tied a career high with eight assists.
Tosan Evbuomwan, the Nets’ newest two-way signee, made his Brooklyn debut against the 76ers and finished with three points in 21 minutes. The England native became the second Princeton alum to suit up for the Nets all-time, joining Steve Goodrich.
Brooklyn will return to action on Monday against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center.