Brooklyn took a new lopsided loss to Portland, leaving fans believing if the Nets are igniting NBA Draft placement.
The Brooklyn Nets surrendered 130 points or more eight times this season before Monday.
The Portland Trail Blazers became the ninth in trouncing them 134-99 at the Moda Center.
Brooklyn in the process reignites a popular debate after the game: If the Nets have pivoted to tanking with the season almost over.
The Nets entered the Pacific Northwest venue holding a 93% chance of landing the top pick of the NBA Draft per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. Fans immediately reacted if the Nets are indeed dipping back into the "tanking" method that's become a popular, and controversial, term across the league.
One fan fiercely criticized the Nets, though.
"Unacceptable loss. I don’t care if you are tanking. You can’t play like this," the fan quipped on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter. "Show me that you guys have something in yourselves for the future. Losing by 35 to a play in team is simply not okay."
Another fan vented on social media.
"I can't take these games anymore. It’s been a real mental test this year," the fan posted. "Besides hopefully a top three pick the Nets really need to sign or trade for a star. Is there a free agent or guy who you think would be a great fit next year that you would bring in next season?"
Regarding the latter, the Nets lost on the same night former star Cam Thomas got waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. Maybe fans will hope for a reunion. Except Thomas has made it clear he wasn't happy about being a Net in the end.
Portland, meanwhile, is currently is in a much different position compared to Brooklyn. The Trail Blazers would qualify for the postseason play-in tournament if the season ended now. And the Blazers have done it with Deni Avdija leading the scoring load in the absence of franchise legend Damian Lillard.
Brooklyn entered the game highly depleted. The Nets are already missing leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. and top scoring rookie Egor Demin. Porter hasn't been officially ruled out for the season with his ankle injury, however, whereas Demin is done for the year with his foot ailment.
But Danny Wolf became the latest to miss action after landing awkwardly on his ankle against the Sacramento Kings Sunday. Brooklyn also remains without Day'Ron Sharpe and opted to rest Noah Clowney and Drake Powell with injury management.
Tyson Etienne led the Nets with 18 points. Ziaire Williams chipped in 16 points while Josh Minott scored 15. Chaney Johnson added 12 for Brooklyn. Jalen Wilson (11), Ben Saraf and Nic Claxton rounded out the double-digit scoring with the latter two hitting 10 apiece.
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