Some accuse the Milwaukee Bucks of breaking the Nets. You remember it. That game on December 27 at Barclays Center, where former head coach Jacque Vaughn, in collaboration with Brooklyn’s management office, decided to rest several key players without providing an explanation that met the NBA’s Player Participation Policy.
The Nets entered the game 15-15, coming off back-to-back victories over the Detroit Pistons, and fell by 22 points. They were fined $100,000 by the league and have gone 11-27 since, plummeting to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
In reality, the reasons for Brooklyn’s rocky season are far more complex than a single regular-season setback in late December. But, fair or not, that will be the night that fans remember as the turning point of the Nets’ 2023-24 season. Fast forward to Thursday, and the Bucks’ title hopes have not faltered, while Brooklyn is trying to qualify for the league’s Play-In Tournament after losing four straight games.
However, the Nets had their whole roster available this time around, with the exception of Dorian Finney-Smith, who did not travel with the team due to left ankle pain. While the game was significantly more competitive, Brooklyn lost 115-108, tying their season-long losing streak of five games.
With 12 games remaining, Brooklyn sits five games behind the Atlanta Hawks for tenth place in the Eastern Conference. Damian Lillard led the way for Milwaukee with 30 points and 12 assists, while Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
The Nets trailed by 20 points in the second quarter and were down 16 at halftime. Milwaukee was able to generate that separation by shooting 8-of-15 from 3-point range throughout the period. One of the most serious challenges Brooklyn has faced this season has been its inability to withstand its opponent’s attacking runs.
The Nets had 11 turnovers at the half. They shot just 27.8% from deep as a team. They were being punished with the paint. At that time, it appeared that Kevin Ollie’s team would have yet another poor night.
Except this time, they continued to fight. Mikal Bridges came alive after another slow first half on offense. The jumper was re-calibrated, and his 3-pointer cut Milwaukee’s lead to eight with 8:06 remaining in the third quarter, capping a 12-4 surge to begin the period.
The Nets’ surge, powered by Bridges, continued. With 3:12 left in the third quarter, his fifth three-pointer of the night made it a four-point game, and Milwaukee went from hunters to hunted. The Bucks finally replied with a pair of AJ Green triples, extending their advantage to 12 points entering the fourth quarter. However, Brooklyn’s performance on both sides of the court in the third quarter sparked a late surge. Bridged scored 13 of his team-high 24 points in the third quarter, limiting Milwaukee to 33.3% shooting and outscoring the Bucks 25-21.
The Nets fought hard and lead 94-93 with 4:34 remaining, but Lillard and Antetokounmpo proved too much down the end. Milwaukee’s dangerous pair combined for 21 points in the fourth quarter. With 41 seconds remaining, a Lillard 3-pointer increased the Bucks’ advantage to ten points, putting the final nail in Brooklyn’s coffin.
Milwaukee scored 23 points off 14 Nets turnovers in their 45th win of the season. Brooklyn’s four-game road trip continues on Saturday against the Knicks.