Nets' historic collapse against rivals sparks head coach's profound self-criticism, admitting responsibility for the baffling 54-point defeat.
The Brooklyn Nets fell to a previously struggling New York Knicks group by 54 points in a stunning 120-66 rout on Wednesday night, as the Nets narrowly avoided their worst loss in franchise history.
On a night when New York's soon-to-be 3-time All-Star Jalen Brunson contributed just 20 points on 1-for-8 shooting from three-point range, the Knicks still managed to shoot a blistering 57.5% from the field and 50.0% on their attempts from distance while simultaneously holding Brooklyn's main offensive sparks in Michael Porter Jr. and rookie Egor Dëmin to a combined 28.6% field goal percentage.
Throughout this blowout of historic proportions, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez appeared utterly distraught, especially for the majority of his team's 10-point performance in the fourth quarter.
After the conclusion of the game, Fernandez spoke with media members about how much of an impact he'd had on the brutal outcome.
"I'm the one responsible for it," Fernandez shared, according to a post on X from YES Network.
"Players have got to move on...show up the next day and have positive energy and work and get better and go out there and compete."
"I have to help them better."
Sure, Fernandez's hope is that he can lead the team to a brighter future and help them to have better performances, but he unfortunately will not be able to assist the team with physically putting the ball in the basket.
When left to their own devices on the floor, Brooklyn's offense didn't just go cold in the second half against the Knicks, there was no offense to speak of at all.
The back half of the contest saw every single Net on the floor outside of Ziaire Williams struggle immensely. Porter Jr. could only muster three points on one made attempt from long range, and the team could not create any meaningful scoring opportunities.
Brooklyn shot just 25.6% from the field on 39 attempts, and even the Nets' most trusted offensive initiators were held captive by a No. 17 ranked (115.0 defensive rating) Knicks defensive front.
Fernandez's schemes can only impact so much until it's time for Brooklyn's difference-makers to execute them and finish them with a basket. Same goes for the defensive side of the ball, where he can only manage to raise their level of fight to a certain degree.
Blame must be placed upon the shoulders of the 42-year-old lead strategist, but his in-game adjustments could not have foreseen the Nets' unforeseen, totally disjointed effort against a Knicks team who came into the night with a 2-9 record in their last 11 games.
The Knicks were aiming to get back on track against Brooklyn and build momentum heading into the All-Star break, and Fernandez's Nets allowed the storied franchise to gain that momentum, and more.
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