Brooklyn started the season well after dealing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline the previous year, capping an illustrious period that had disappointing outcomes. The team with a fresh look began the season 13–10. But that span turned out to be an anomaly.

Since December 14, the Nets have the seventh-worst record in the NBA (19-38). During that time, their offensive, which is ranked 25th, has almost become unwatchable. The defense, which is ranked 20th, hasn’t done much better. Mikal Bridges spoke to the audience prior to Brooklyn’s last home game on Wednesday, a 106-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors, and he acknowledged the toll the team’s hardships had taken on supporters.

“On behalf of the Nets organization and my teammates, thank you for your attendance this season. We appreciate you guys sticking with us, even though I know it’s been a difficult year,” Bridges remarked. “Next year, we’ll be back.”
After Bridges’ remarks, the Nets gave the supporters something to cheer about. Brooklyn battled out a last-minute victory in front of a sellout crowd for the third time in the previous four home games.

With a combined total of 12 blocks, Nic Claxton and rookie sensation Noah Clowney led the way for the Nets, who limited the Raptors to 35.2 percent two-point shooting. During the victory, Brooklyn turned away a total of 15 shots, which is a record at Barclays Center. Against his old team, Dennis Schroder showed great poise by scoring 15 of his 21 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 9 assists in the fourth quarter.


In each of the Nets’ previous three victories following their elimination from postseason contention, fans flocked the arena and offered a genuine home-court advantage, an unexpected development.

We receive a boost from our fan base each time we get a huge play or a stop. Interim head coach Kevin Ollie stated, “They just come alive, and it makes our players come alive, so the energy we felt for them.” “I didn’t anticipate there would be so many attendees. I mean, there was barely enough space to stand. They completely packed the building, and you could sense the energy and support they had for us at every play. I’m happy we were able to provide them with something they could take home with them.