Following the NBA’s Feb. 8 trade deadline, the Brooklyn Nets found themselves plummeting to new depths with the departures of Spencer Dinwiddie and Royce O’Neale.
This descent hit a particularly low point on a fateful night when they faced the Boston Celtics without key players Jaylen Brown and Al Horford.
The result was a devastating 136-86 loss for Brooklyn at TD Garden on Wednesday night, marking their second consecutive defeat and fourth in the last five games.
This defeat etched itself into the annals of franchise history as the second-worst loss ever and the most substantial margin since the 1978-79 season when the team was still known as the New Jersey Nets, succumbing to a 52-point defeat against the Houston Rockets.
In a dismal display, only one member of Brooklyn’s starting lineup managed to reach double digits in scoring, with Mikal Bridges tallying 10 points alongside four rebounds and four assists. Off the bench, Trendon Watford led the Nets with 15 points, complemented by two rebounds and one assist.
The Celtics asserted their dominance from the outset, establishing a commanding 68-32 lead by halftime. This sizable advantage afforded Boston the luxury of deploying many bench players in the second half, including Payton Pritchard, Oshae Brissett, Luke Kornet, and Jordan Walsh.
Pritchard emerged as the standout performer for the Celtics, notching 28 points, along with two rebounds and two assists, while Derrick White contributed 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists to secure the victory. Jayson Tatum also made a significant impact, concluding the game with 20 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
The loss prompted a barrage of criticism from fans on social media, with some demanding the dismissal of head coach Jacque Vaughn.
Disappointed supporters expressed their frustration and embarrassment, emphasizing the need for significant changes within the organization.
With the Nets’ record dropping to 21-32 for the season, their playoff prospects appear increasingly bleak, hinting at the necessity for a franchise overhaul to rebuild a competitive team following the departure of key players in recent seasons, including Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden.
