Jordi Fernández Reacts to Nets’ OT Loss, Mikel Brown Jr.

The Brooklyn Nets came agonizingly close to their first win of the 2026-27 season Tuesday night, but a costly overtime mistake cost them a 125-124 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.

Brooklyn erased an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter, got a clutch three-pointer from rookie Mikel Brown Jr. with 0.3 seconds remaining in regulation, and even built a five-point lead in overtime. However, the Nets couldn't finish the job, falling just short of their first victory.

After the game, head coach Jordi Fernández discussed the final defensive possession, Brown's impressive performance, and what the rookie can learn from a difficult ending to an otherwise encouraging night.

Despite the loss, Fernández was pleased with how his team competed against Boston.

"At the end of the day, what I take out of this game is the competitiveness, play as a unit," Fernández said. "We played the right way. We look like a good team out there."

Brooklyn had a chance to force another possession late in overtime, but Jayson Tatum got the shot he needed to give Boston the win.

Fernández explained that the Nets were supposed to avoid switching on the screen because they wanted to keep a bigger defender matched up against Tatum. Instead, Brooklyn switched, allowing the Celtics star to get his shot off.

"We were not supposed to switch there because we wanted to keep a bigger body on him," Fernández said. "We did switch."

Noah Clowney was supposed to maintain the matchup with Tatum, while Keon Ellis was responsible for tracking the play and contesting the shot if necessary. Fernández acknowledged that the Nets didn't execute the coverage as planned, though Tatum still had to make a difficult shot.

The coach also addressed his decision to leave Brown on the floor for the final defensive possession instead of bringing in another player.

Fernández considered making a substitution but ultimately decided against it because players who hadn't been involved throughout the game would have had to step into a difficult situation against Tatum. He took responsibility for that decision and said he was comfortable with it.

The defensive breakdown was costly, but it wasn't the only thing Fernández took away from the game.

Brown was one of the biggest reasons Brooklyn had a chance to win, especially after struggling to find his rhythm early. The rookie missed his first six shots before getting going offensively, eventually finishing with 20 points and hitting the three-pointer that sent the game into overtime.

Fernández said Brown looked increasingly comfortable as the game progressed, particularly when handling the ball, getting to his preferred spots, and attacking the basket.

"You just started to see him being more comfortable," Fernández said. "The way he was moving and dribbling with the ball and getting to his spots and his comfortable shots that he can definitely make."

The Nets coach was happy with Brown's overall impact and believes the experience will benefit him moving forward, even with the disappointment of the final possession.

"He got it going, and he showed that when the big lights are bright and they're on, he can perform," Fernández said.

Brown's biggest mistake came when he attempted a layup instead of dribbling out the clock, giving Boston another opportunity to respond. Fernández explained that the better decision would have been to protect possession and force the Celtics to foul.

Even if Brown had made the layup, Brooklyn still would have held only a one-possession lead, but the decision gave the Celtics another chance to take control.

Fernández said Brown was unhappy with himself after the game but didn't want the rookie to dwell on the mistake.

"Mistakes happen. I've made mistakes all my life, and some of them just stay with you a little longer, and they hurt, but you got to move on," Fernández said.

The coach made it clear that Brown's late-game decision shouldn't overshadow everything he did to put Brooklyn in position to win. For a young player still adjusting to the NBA, the experience could prove valuable as he learns to handle similar situations.

Brown also played a season-high 28 minutes against Boston, continuing the gradual increase in playing time the Nets have been managing since his return to action.

Fernández explained that the coaching staff evaluates how Brown feels after games and monitors whether his body can handle the additional workload before making further adjustments. The team isn't rushing that process, meaning a starting role isn't on the immediate horizon.

"Right now, we're building him up," Fernández said, explaining that the staff wants to make sure Brown is physically ready to handle the workload over an extended period.

Fernández also stressed that Brown isn't guaranteed minutes simply because he's a rookie. His playing time will continue to depend on his performance and how he handles the demands of the NBA schedule.

Still, earning an expanded role in a competitive game against Boston is an encouraging sign for the young guard. Even after missing his first six shots, Brown continued to attack and eventually delivered some of Brooklyn's biggest plays of the night.

There were positives elsewhere, too. The Nets held Boston to 26% shooting from three-point range, and Fernández was pleased with the team's defensive effort. He credited Brooklyn's coverage and contested shots rather than focusing solely on the Celtics' poor shooting percentage.

The Nets have now lost their first four games of the season, making Tuesday's finish another frustrating setback. However, their ability to erase a deficit and push Boston to the final possession showed what they can do when they execute and compete together.

For Brown, the night offered a glimpse of his potential and a reminder of how much he still has to learn. His three-pointer to force overtime showed he can deliver under pressure, while the final possession gave him a difficult lesson about decision-making in the closing seconds.

Fernández made it clear that he wasn't going to let one mistake define the rookie's performance. Brown helped give Brooklyn a chance to win, and the coach believes he'll learn from how the game ended.

The Nets will look to turn that encouraging performance into their first home win, but Brown's development may be one of the most important things to watch as Brooklyn moves forward.