Nets Stay Undefeated in Preseason With Win Over Wizards

The Brooklyn Nets improved to 3-0 in the preseason Monday night, beating the Washington Wizards 131-122. Brooklyn took control with a big third-quarter run before holding off a late Washington push to remain unbeaten.

Michael Porter Jr. and Day’Ron Sharpe returned to the lineup for Brooklyn, joining the expected starting five of Egor Dëmin, Keon Ellis and Julius Randle. Mikel Brown Jr. and Joshua Jefferson remained sidelined, although Brown is expected to make his preseason debut Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

Washington started Trae Young, Kyshawn George, AJ Dybansta, Alex Sarr and Deandre Ayton. Ayton started in place of Anthony Davis, who sat out for rest.

Porter wasted little time making an impact. After Sharpe opened the scoring with a three-pointer off a pass from Randle, Porter cut to the basket for an easy finish. Randle added a tough basket over Sarr and knocked down a three-pointer as Brooklyn built an early lead.

Porter continued to find his rhythm, hitting two three-pointers before finishing a fast-break dunk through a foul. He converted the free throw to give the Nets a 24-18 advantage, and Randle's fadeaway jumper extended the lead to eight.

Washington kept pace behind George and Bilal Coulibaly, who knocked down several shots from beyond the arc. Brooklyn also got contributions from its bench, including a three-pointer from Noah Clowney and a basket from Nolan Traore, while Drake Powell connected from deep.

The Nets shot 61% from the field in the opening quarter and held a 36-32 lead after the first 12 minutes. Porter led Brooklyn with 13 points, while Randle had seven points and four assists. George paced Washington with 12 points.

The scoring picked up even more in the second quarter, with both teams trading leads throughout the period. Traore gave Brooklyn a spark, scoring 10 points in his first eight minutes before adding another three-pointer to cap an 8-0 personal run. He finished the first half with 13 points.

Ellis also caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to help the Nets build a nine-point advantage. Porter added another tough finish around the basket, while Randle continued to set up his teammates.

Washington answered through George, Coulibaly and Tre Johnson, who helped the Wizards erase the deficit. Johnson knocked down consecutive three-pointers late in the quarter, with his second giving Washington a brief 68-67 lead.

Ellis put Brooklyn back in front with a layup, and Clowney added a three-pointer. The Wizards continued to score, though, and after free throws and another basket from Sarr, the Nets took a narrow 73-72 lead into halftime.

Porter had 17 points at the break, while Traore added 13 and Ellis finished with 12. Randle contributed 12 points and nine assists. George led Washington with 18 points, while Coulibaly had 15. Both teams shot 50% from the three-point range in the first half.

Washington briefly took control after halftime, with George and Young connecting from deep to give the Wizards a six-point lead. Brooklyn responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by Ellis converting all three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt.

Porter followed with two free throws to extend the Nets' run to nine straight points, but Washington quickly answered. Dybansta scored on a putback dunk before stealing the ball and finishing a fast break, helping the Wizards regain the lead.

Brooklyn's bench then took over. Mo Wagner scored around the basket, while Clowney finished a layup through a foul and converted the free throw. Wagner added another pair of free throws and a layup, and Chaney Johnson threw down a dunk as the Nets began to create some separation.

Traore chipped in at the free-throw line and with a hesitation layup as Brooklyn closed out the third quarter on a 15-2 run. The Nets outscored Washington 30-22 in the period, taking a 103-94 lead into the fourth.

Chaney Johnson opened the final quarter with another fast-break dunk, and Clowney followed with a three-pointer to push Brooklyn's advantage to 12. Washington made another push behind Bub Carrington, who scored from the perimeter and at the free-throw line to bring the Wizards back into the game.

Carrington's three-pointer cut the deficit to three, forcing Brooklyn to respond. Grant Nelson delivered with a three-pointer before adding a putback on the next possession. Josh Minott contributed a pair of baskets, while Danny Wolf scored on a layup to help the Nets maintain their lead.

Terance Mann also connected on a three-pointer off the backboard, and Nelson added another putback. Brooklyn then put together a 9-0 run after Washington had pulled within three, putting the game out of reach.

The fourth quarter ended tied at 28, but Brooklyn's third-quarter surge proved to be the difference as the Nets secured their third consecutive preseason victory.

Porter led Brooklyn with 22 points, while Traore finished with 17. Ellis and Clowney each scored 15, with Clowney adding four rebounds. Randle recorded 14 points and nine assists, while Wagner contributed 13 points and five rebounds. Nelson made the most of his nine minutes, finishing with nine points and four rebounds, all in the fourth quarter.

George led Washington with 21 points, four assists and three steals. Coulibaly added 19 points, while Carrington scored 14. Johnson also finished with 13 points, and Young recorded 11 points and 11 assists despite shooting just 1-of-5 from the field.

Brooklyn's bench outscored Washington's reserves 72-66, with several players stepping up throughout the game.

The Nets will wrap up their preseason Wednesday night when they visit the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET. Washington will play its final preseason game Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans at 8 p.m. ET.