A recent onslaught of trades, injuries and illness has only made Year 1 more difficult for Jordi Fernandez and his staff. But even as the Nets shamelessly tank, it’s difficult to write them off on most nights. Regardless of available personnel, if they have a pulse, Fernandez usually has them ready to play.
W Brooklyn was pretty shorthanded in Monday’s game against the Pacers but outscored them 31-23 in the third quarter to keep things interesting — until Indiana woke up down the stretch and pulled away. Wednesday’s 113-98 loss to the red-hot Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center played out in a similar fashion — except this time the Nets had just eight available players after Day’Ron Sharpe (illness), Ben Simmons (lower back injury management) and Dariq Whitehead (concussion protocol) were ruled out earlier in the day, joining Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain), Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain), D’Angelo Russell (right shin contusion), Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain) and Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture) on the inactive list. Fernandez started Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Ziaire Williams, Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton against the Pistons — Reece Beekman, Jalen Wilson and Tosan Evbuomwan were the reserves off the bench — and his guys came out swinging.
The Nets shot just 32.1% in the first quarter but were down only two points entering the second thanks to six forced turnovers, 10 early points from Clowney, and an early 11-2 edge in second-chance point.
