The Brooklyn Nets (1-11) have already experience some tough losses this season as they are dealing with the trials and tribulations of fielding such a young team. Brooklyn had a chance to get their second win of the season against an Orlando Magic (7-6) that was missing one of its best players in forward Paolo Banchero, but the Nets froze up down the stretch of a close game.
The Nets lost at the Magic 105-98 despite this game being a back-and-forth kind of affair until the last few minutes of the game when Brooklyn wasn’t able to keep up. Forward Michael Porter Jr. had arguably his best game of the season to the tune of 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists while forward Ziaire Williams was huge off the bench with 15 points and three steals.
Despite the fact that the Magic did not have Banchero, forward Franz Wagner stepped up for his team as he put up 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists while forward Tristan da Silva dropped 22 points and nine rebounds of his own while filling in for Banchero. The Nets are now 0-2 in NBA Cup play so it seems like that may not be a possibility for them either so here are the Nets player grades following Friday’s loss at the Magic:
Egor Demin: C-
Demin has had some bright moments since entering the starting lineup, but this was one of those games where his limitations are shown when he isn’t making shots at a high rate. Demin did a great job of handling the ball while facing ball pressure from Jalen Suggs as he didn’t turn the ball over and he focused on getting his team into its offensive sets.
Terance Mann: C-
Mann had a solid offensive outing as he was able to get to his spots on the floor and put pressure on the rim to force Orlando’s big men to pick whether to defend him or give up an open look to one of his teammates. Mann played some solid perimeter defense as he was able to make matters tough for the aforementioned Suggs and sharpshooter Desmond Bane.
Michael Porter Jr.: A
This has been said plenty of times in the early going, but Porter had arguably his best game of the season in this one as he providing the points that Brooklyn needed from him while being all over the glass and setting up his teammates. Porter has moments where he forgets to look for his teammates as he rises up for his shot and Brooklyn is still waiting for Porter to have a full game of locking in on the defensive end of the floor.
Noah Clowney: B-
Clowney had a solid start to this game as he was hitting shots from behind the three-point line while being aggressive with his drives to the rim, but the second half told a different story for a variety of reasons. Clowney was solid on the defensive end, but he seemed to fade away down the stretch when the Nets needed others to step up during winning time.
Nic Claxton: C+
Claxton had a solid game on both ends of the floor despite having to deal with Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze for the majority of the contest in which he played the third-most minutes on the team. Claxton missed three of his four free-throws, but he was efficient scoring the ball at the rim and he also showed what he could do when he’s near the rim to deter/block shots for most of his time on the floor.
Ziaire Williams: A
Williams has scored with his shooting over the past few games, but that was not the case in this one as he was feeling it from three-point land and that was part of the reason that he received extended minutes. On the defensive end, Williams was relentless in his pursuit of the ball while maintaining his discipline to not get back on backdoor cuts that often.
Day’Ron Sharpe: C
Sharpe was solid during his minutes on the floor, but he didn’t have any plays where he made it apparent that he was looking to impose his will on the game. Sharpe did a good job of rebounding and passing the ball, but his presence on the defensive end was lacking as the Magic were able to get whatever they wanted at the rim with Sharpe not being feared as a shot-blocker.
Tyrese Martin: C-
Martin’s shooting struggles continued in this one as he couldn’t get much to fall, especially from behind the three-point line with the Magic packing the paint towards the end of the game. Head coach Jordi Fernandez went with Martin down the stretch instead of Egor Demin and that was likely due to Martin’s ability to be a solid defender on guards and forwards at about the same level.
Drake Powell: C
Powell did a good job of scoring the ball in this one as his confidence with the ball in his hands grows while he continues to see reps in huge moments for the Nets. Powell has showed that he can make an impact on both ends of the floor thanks to his size and athleticism, but the hope is that he can be more of an offensive contributor by the end of the season.
