Even though the Nets lost to a talented Orlando Magic squad 105-98, in what was a nailbiter, the better team ultimately claimed the victory. Yes, there were controversies about late game rotations, but in the end, talent did survive. Tonight, the Nets will face one of their only challenges this season where they’ll be the favorite … assuming one side or the other wants a win.
The Washington Wizards, who also share a 1-11 record with the boys in Brooklyn, are having the same type of problems the Nets are this season. Young core, maybe a promising future, just a difficult journey. But all that will be swept under the rug tonight, as the two teams will spar in a pure right to see who can claim their second win first.
Catch the action at 6:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network or stream on the Gotham Sports App.
Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain) and Haywood Highsmith (knee) will be out. Danny Wolf, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf remain with Long Island and Saraf didn’t play in the second half of last night’s game in Maine, coming up lame with a second to go in the first half. The Nets kept him out in the second half. No word yet on the severity.
For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly is listed as questionable due to a calf issue.
As a franchise that hasn’t seen any consistent success since John Wall was their starting point guard, the Wizards may have solved one of their problems at the very least. In 2024, the year after the Spurs drafted their French franchise ticket, the Wizards selected their own big man in Alex Sarr. This season, it seems that Sarr has taken a leap after an up-and-down rookie season. In the last five games, Sarr has averaged 21.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks.
Stopping Sarr will be the key to getting the victory in D.C. That job will fall to Nic Claxton Day’Ron Sharpe and Noah Clowney will have to hold their own on both ends. Making their impact felt should seal the deal in the front court. I will also like to see MPJ distribute the way he did early on against the Magic, setting a career mark for assists with seven. If he can balance his ability to shoot the ball as well as get his teammates involved, he can play a huge part in his own growth as a player, but also the development for his young teammates.
Player to Watch: Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson is an underrated name in this year’s draft class. Taken at No. 6 between Ace Bailey and Jeremiah Fears is having a solid start to his NBA career. Seen as the best pure shooter in the 2025 Draft, Johnson is quietly averaging 12 points a game on 43% from the field and about 40% from three. His development as a shooter is legendary. Before the draft, he and his team tracked every one of his 30,000 shots. With the Wizards playing their kids, Johnson is in a good situation for his growth, even with his team’s current woes.
For Wizards fans, his and Sarr’s development is the most hopeful development in years. Johnson is 19 and Sarr 20 and both will likely be joined by another teenaged prospect come June.
In an era when the battle for human rights is being ignored or worse, particularly in our nation’s capital, it is just good to remember.
Not just the monumental achievements or great speeches or tragic deaths, but signature acts of bravery … like that of Ruby Bridges who 65 years ago this week at age six integrated public schools in New Orleans despite death threats. So serious were the threats that she had to be accompanied to school by federal marshals.
The walk was famously memorialized by Norman Rockwell, the American painter whose work was best known for its idealistic portrayals of a different time, a simpler time. But he was so moved by Bridges bravery at such a young age that he created one of the mid-century’s great artworks entitled simply, The Problem We All Live With. For years, it hung in the White House.
Here, two curators at the Norman Rockwell Museum describe the background of the painting…
Again, it is good to remember.
