Tag: Brooklyn

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Which NBA teams have yet to win a championship?

Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe during the first half of an NBA basketball game

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are always competing for the most NBA championships in history. In 2024, the Celtics won their 18th NBA title, surpassing the Lakers and breaking a tie between the two teams. While these two teams continue to fight for the top spot, there are still several teams – 10 in total – trying to win their first championship.

In 2023, the Denver Nuggets became the newest team to win an NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in the Finals and claiming their first title. Here’s a look at the 10 NBA teams that are still searching for their first championship, along with their number of Finals appearances.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets won two ABA championships with Julius Erving leading the team, but they have not won an NBA title since Erving was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers when the ABA-NBA merger happened in 1976. The team, then known as the New Jersey Nets, came close with back-to-back Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. The Nets faced Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers one year, and Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs the other year.

Charlotte Hornets

In 1998, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls eliminated the Hornets in the Eastern Conference semifinals while on their way to winning their sixth NBA title in eight seasons. Although Jordan was one of the best winners in NBA history as a player, he didn’t have the same success as the owner of the Hornets.

Jordan sold his majority stake in the team in 2023, but his poor draft choices before that, including top-10 picks like Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, and Cody Zeller, prevented the Hornets from making deep playoff runs.

Charlotte Hornets (NBA)

Indiana Pacers

Like the Nets, the Pacers were one of the best teams in the ABA, winning three championships before the 1976 merger. Like the Nets, the Pacers also faced Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers in the Finals. Reggie Miller seemed ready to finally win an NBA title in 2000, but Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers stopped Miller’s Indiana team in six games, winning their first of three straight championships. The Pacers haven’t returned to the Finals since.

LA Clippers

The Clippers have faced bad luck since moving from Buffalo, San Diego, and eventually Los Angeles. Now based in Inglewood, California, the Clippers are still searching for their first Finals appearance.

Although the team has had talented players, injuries to key players like Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard have prevented deep playoff runs. Along with questionable ownership and losing 3-1 leads in the 2015 and 2020 Western Conference semifinals, the Clippers have been one of the unluckiest teams in major North American sports.

Memphis Grizzlies

Even when the Grizzlies were based in Vancouver (1995-2001), they had trouble getting to the championship. The franchise did have one period when it came close. Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph played strong defense and helped the team make the playoffs for seven straight years, including a run to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. Unfortunately, Memphis was swept by the Spurs in that series.

Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are another team still waiting for their first championship and their first Finals appearance. Minnesota couldn’t make it to the Finals during Kevin Garnett’s time with the team. The Timberwolves, formed in 1989, made the playoffs for eight straight years with Garnett but only made it past the first round once.

To make matters worse, Garnett left Minnesota and went on to win a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. In 2024, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals, but Minnesota fell behind 3-0 in the series and lost in five games.

New Orleans Pelicans

A relatively new team, the Pelicans have been in New Orleans since 2002. They haven’t won any championships or made any Finals appearances. The team made it to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time with Chris Paul in 2008 when they were known as the New Orleans Hornets.

In 2012, New Orleans won the draft lottery and picked Anthony Davis as the No. 1 pick. However, the Pelicans didn’t make the most of the Davis years, and he eventually left to win a championship with the Lakers.

Orlando Magic

Orlando is known for being the home of Walt Disney World, but the Magic are not known for being home to an NBA champion. The Magic have had two of the best big men of their time in Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. Both led the team to the Finals—Shaq in 1995 and Howard in 2009. However, it took both players leaving the team to win championships. Shaq won three championships with the Lakers and one with Miami. Howard won one, also with the Lakers.

Phoenix Suns (NBA)

Phoenix Suns

The Suns have had several great teams with all-time great players who just couldn’t finish the job. NBA MVP Charles Barkley led Phoenix to the Finals in 1993, but they lost to Jordan and the Bulls in six games. Steve Nash won back-to-back MVPs with the Suns in 2005 and 2006 but couldn’t get Phoenix past the Western Conference finals. More recently, Devin Booker’s Suns lost a 2-0 series lead to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Finals.

Utah Jazz

While there have been greater duos in NBA history than Karl Malone and John Stockton, they are certainly the greatest pair never to win a championship. These two Hall of Famers made the Jazz serious title contenders for over a dozen years, leading the team to its only two Finals appearances. Utah played in the NBA’s biggest stage in 1997 and again in 1998. Unfortunately for Malone and Stockton, both years were against Jordan’s Bulls. The Jazz lost both series in six games and haven’t been back to the Finals since.

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Kevin Durant: The Brooklyn star who consistently silences his critics

ESPN: USA ‘Would Give’ Kevin Durant ‘Provisional Yes Right Now’ for 2028 LA Olympics
Kevin Durant (NBA)

Kevin Durant, the 6-foot-10 forward for the Phoenix Suns, is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. Throughout his career, Durant has faced criticism, dealt with injuries, and confronted doubts about his abilities, yet he continues to rise above and prove his doubters wrong.

From his humble beginnings to his dominance on the basketball court, Durant’s journey has been one of perseverance, hard work, and exceptional talent.

Durant’s story begins in Washington, D.C., where he was born in 1988. Growing up, he was a quiet and reserved kid, but his love for basketball was undeniable. Durant was a standout player at Oak Hill Academy, one of the most prestigious high schools for basketball in the United States.

From there, he went on to play one season at the University of Texas, where he was named the National Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. His dominance in college basketball quickly caught the attention of NBA scouts, and in 2007, he was selected as the second overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.

Durant’s arrival in the NBA was met with high expectations. He was touted as the future of the league, a player who could eventually carry a franchise to an NBA championship. However, Durant’s first few years in the league were not without challenges.

Despite his scoring ability and talent, Durant’s teams struggled to make an impact in the playoffs. The criticism began to mount as Durant’s failure to lead his teams deep into the postseason was scrutinized.

The pressure on Kevin Durant intensified in 2016 when he made the controversial decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team with which he had spent eight seasons, and join the Golden State Warriors.

Critics were quick to call Durant’s move a “weak” choice, arguing that joining a team that had already won 73 games the previous season made him a “bandwagon” player. Many believed Durant’s legacy would be tainted because of this move, and he would never earn the respect he deserved.

However, Durant silenced the critics by leading the Warriors to two NBA championships in 2017 and 2018. His performance in the 2017 NBA Finals, where he was named Finals MVP after averaging 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, was nothing short of spectacular.

Kevin Durant gestures in the 2nd half

Durant performs consistently in big games

Durant’s scoring ability, defensive presence, and leadership proved that he could perform at the highest level in the biggest moments. His decision to join the Warriors had proven to be a wise one, as he helped pump the team to new heights.

Yet, despite his success in Golden State, Durant faced more criticism as some argued that his championships were “tainted” due to the Warriors’ already-established dominance. Durant was once again labeled as someone who could not win on his own. Many of his detractors believed he would never be able to prove his worth as a true superstar without joining a super team.

In 2019, Durant made another pivotal decision, leaving the Warriors to sign with the Brooklyn Nets. Many questioned if Durant’s move to Brooklyn was the right decision, given the uncertainty surrounding the Nets’ roster and their ability to contend for a championship.

However, Durant’s arrival in Brooklyn was followed by the signing of fellow superstars Kyrie Irving and James Harden, forming one of the most potent trios in NBA history. Despite the immense pressure of trying to create another championship-contending team, Durant thrived in Brooklyn.

However, Durant’s time in Brooklyn was not without its challenges. In 2020, Durant suffered an Achilles injury that sidelined him for an entire season. There were doubts about whether Durant could ever return to his former self, as Achilles injuries are often career-altering.

Yet, Durant defied the odds and made a remarkable recovery. He returned to the court in the 2020-2021 season, picking up right where he left off. Durant’s return was a testament to his dedication and work ethic, as he once again became one of the league’s top players.

Durant’s ability to perform at an elite level after such a significant injury further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of his generation. He continued to prove that he was capable of carrying a team and leading them to success.

Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant poses with his medal (NBA)

Dominated the league even after injuries

Despite the injuries, the criticism, and the doubts, Durant remained one of the most consistent and dominant players in the NBA. His scoring ability, leadership, and clutch performances in the postseason reaffirmed his status as one of the game’s top players.

In 2022, Durant made another move, this time to the Phoenix Suns, where he hoped to contend for an NBA championship once again. The move was met with a mix of excitement and skepticism, as many wondered if Durant could still carry a team to a title.

With the Suns, Durant reunited with former teammate Chris Paul, forming a dynamic duo that could potentially rival some of the best in the league.

Despite the Suns’ early struggles and the ongoing questions about Durant’s ability to lead a team to a championship, Durant continues to prove that he is far from done. His incredible scoring ability, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure have made him one of the most feared players in the NBA.

Durant’s hunger for success and his unwavering commitment to proving his doubters wrong will continue to drive him as he strives to add more championships to his already impressive resume.

Kevin Durant’s journey has been one of perseverance and determination. From his early struggles in the NBA to his dominance with the Warriors, Nets, and Suns, Durant has consistently proven that he is one of the most talented and resilient players in the league. Through all the criticism and adversity, Durant has remained focused on his goals and continues to rise above the doubters.

His legacy is cemented as one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game, and his career is far from over. As he continues to prove his doubters wrong, Durant’s story serves as a reminder that greatness is not defined by others’ opinions but by one’s ability to keep pushing forward.

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Nets Cut Ben Simmons: Brooklyn ends Simmons’ contract, per reports

Ben Simmons (NBA)

Ben Simmons’ time with the Brooklyn Nets has come to a close. The team announced on Saturday that they reached a buyout agreement with Simmons, and he has been placed on waivers.

Simmons has already met with the Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, as he looks for a new team after the trade deadline on Thursday. He also plans to meet with the Houston Rockets before making his final decision. Last season, Simmons played only 15 games for Brooklyn, and 42 games in 2022-23. He didn’t play at all during the 2021-22 season. Since 2018-19, Simmons hasn’t played over 60 games in a season.

Despite these concerns, Simmons remains a notable name on the buyout market. The No. 1 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft has a Rookie of the Year award, an All-NBA selection, two All-Defensive selections, and three All-Star appearances.

Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets

There was a time when he was seen as a key player for the Philadelphia 76ers, but his shooting struggles prevented him from reaching his full potential. However, this season, he has still made an impact, averaging 6.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game.

As he joins a new team, whether it’s the Clippers, Cavaliers, Rockets, or another contender, Simmons will likely play a smaller role. He could focus on rebounding and facilitating in transition, working alongside players like Donovan Mitchell or James Harden, who can create space and draw more defensive attention, potentially improving his production.

Categories
FEATURED

NBA Roundup: Nets Shock Rockets, End 11-Game Home Losing Streak in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets (NBA)

D’Angelo Russell hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left, helping the Brooklyn Nets break their 11-game home losing streak with a dramatic 99-97 win over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday in New York. Brooklyn trailed by four with 9.5 seconds left, but Keon Johnson hit a three to close the gap.

After a steal by Tosan Evbuomwan, he passed to Russell, who made the decisive three-pointer. Houston’s Jalen Green missed a long shot at the buzzer. Johnson led Brooklyn with 22 points, while Evbuomwan and Nic Claxton both added 14. Alperen Sengun returned from injury to score 24 points and grab 20 rebounds for the Rockets, but they lost their fourth straight game.

Lakers 122, Clippers 97

LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-97 win over the Clippers in Inglewood, Calif., scoring 26 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. With Luka Doncic sidelined due to injury after being traded to the Lakers, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves each scored 20 points. The Clippers struggled defensively, allowing at least 122 points for the eighth time this season. Norman Powell led the Clippers with 20 points.

76ers 118, Mavericks 116

Joel Embiid posted a triple-double, and Tyrese Maxey had a double-double as the Philadelphia 76ers edged the Dallas Mavericks 118-116. Embiid finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Maxey added 33 points and 13 assists. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 34 points. Dallas, fresh off trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers, continued to struggle, while Philly bounced back from two consecutive losses.

Trail Blazers 112, Pacers 89

Anfernee Simons scored 22 points, and Jerami Grant added 20 as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Indiana Pacers 112-89. Scoot Henderson posted 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Shaedon Sharpe contributed 17 points.

Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns

Portland extended its winning streak to five games and continued its dominance over Indiana at home, winning for the 15th time in 16 meetings. The Pacers’ four-game win streak came to an end.

Bulls 133, Heat 124

In Chicago, rookie Matas Buzelis set a career-high with 24 points on perfect shooting, and Josh Giddey added 24 points to lead the Bulls past the Miami Heat 133-124. Ayo Dosunmu scored 21 points with nine assists, and Coby White contributed 22 points. Miami was led by Tyler Herro, who had 23 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo also scored 23 points for the Heat.

Celtics 112, Cavaliers 105

Derrick White’s 14 fourth-quarter points helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-105, extending their win streak to four games. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 22 points, while Kristaps Porzingis added 19 points and seven rebounds. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points with 10 rebounds and six assists for the Cavs, but Cleveland’s home record dropped to 24-4.

Knicks 121, Raptors 115

The New York Knicks held off a second-half rally from the Toronto Raptors to win 121-115. Jalen Brunson led New York with 28 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns posted 27 points and 20 rebounds. Despite Toronto closing the gap to one point late, the Knicks held on for the win and completed a four-game sweep of the season series. Scottie Barnes scored 23 points for the Raptors, and Jamal Shead added 16 points and nine assists.

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

The Washington Wizards enter their game against the Nets in Washington on a rare winning streak

Washington Wizards (NBA)

The Washington Wizards, on a rare winning streak, will look to complete a 3-0 road trip when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday in New York.

Washington (8-41) heads into the game with the worst record in the NBA, coming off a 134-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 30, marking their 16th consecutive defeat for the second time this season.

However, the Wizards managed to break their losing streak with a 105-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. They followed it up with a 124-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, securing just their second winning streak of the 2024-25 season.

Washington hasn’t won three games in a row since last March.

“You want to be a consistent player, a consistent team? It’s about the work, it’s about the process,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said after Monday’s win. “Our guys are terrific with that. It’s something I don’t even think about because it’s just who they are now, and a lot of guys are like that.”

He added, “Keep it going.”

Corey Kispert scored a season-high 25 points on Monday, while Bilal Coulibaly added 26 points, his best performance since scoring 27 on Dec. 13. Washington is 2-1 when Coulibaly scores 26 or more points, and three of the Wizards’ eight wins have come when he scored at least 20 points.

Washington is 2-2 in Kispert’s four games of 20 or more points.

The Brooklyn Nets (17-33) come into Wednesday’s matchup with a three-game winning streak, their longest of the season. The latest two wins came against the Houston Rockets, who are in third place in the Western Conference.

Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe during the first half of an NBA basketball game

After defeating the Rockets 110-98 in Texas on Saturday, the Nets won 99-97 at home on Tuesday with a dramatic final 10 seconds.

Brooklyn was down by four points before Keon Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 8.1 seconds left. Tosan Evbuomwan stole the inbounds pass, and D’Angelo Russell nailed the game-winning 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining. The Rockets’ Jalen Green missed a last-second 3-point attempt.

Johnson scored 22 points, leading an injury-depleted Brooklyn team. The Nets were without Noah Clowney (ankle), Cam Thomas (hamstring), and Cameron Johnson (ankle). Bojan Bogdanovic, who hasn’t played this season, is getting closer to returning after offseason foot surgery.

Offense has been a struggle for Brooklyn this season. The Nets rank second to last in the league in scoring, averaging just 105.4 points per game.

However, the Nets have been solid on defense, allowing 112.1 points per game, which is 12th in the NBA. During their current three-game win streak, Brooklyn has held opponents under 100 points in each game, starting with a 104-83 win at Charlotte on Jan. 29.

Johnson has been a major contributor on both ends of the floor, especially in the past month. His 22-point performance on Tuesday was his fifth game with 20 or more points since Jan. 10, raising his season average from 8.0 to 9.7 points per game.

He also had two steals on Tuesday, marking his fifth multiple-steal game since Jan. 10.

“(I am) someone who is going to come in and constantly defend to their fullest, night in and night out, but on the offensive end, (be) someone you can trust with the ball in their hands,” Johnson said. “Each night I feel like I’m getting more and more comfortable with the different roles I’m given.”

Categories
FEATURED

D’Angelo Russell’s clutch shot leads the Nets to a win over the Rockets in Brooklyn

Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets

D’Angelo Russell hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds left, helping the Brooklyn Nets beat the Houston Rockets 99-97 on Tuesday night in New York, ending an 11-game home losing streak.

The Nets were down by four points with 9.5 seconds remaining after Dillon Brooks made one of two free throws. After Tosan Evbuomwan passed the ball cleanly to Keon Johnson, Johnson hit a 3-pointer over Jae’Sean Tate with 8.1 seconds left.

Evbuomwan then stole an inbounds pass from Amen Thompson meant for Brooks. He passed the ball to Russell, who hit a wide-open 3-pointer from the left side of the key.

After a timeout, Jalen Green missed a desperate 32-foot 3-pointer with just 0.4 seconds left, sealing the win for Brooklyn.

Russell’s clutch 3-pointer was the highlight of a rough shooting night for him, as he finished 3-of-15. This win gave the Nets their first home victory since December 4, when they beat the Indiana Pacers.

The game ended despite a strong push from Alperen Sengun, who nearly led the Rockets to a win. Sengun scored 11 points in the final 3:23, including two free throws with 18.4 seconds left. However, Johnson dunked with 10.6 seconds remaining to keep the Nets in front.

Houston Rockets (NBA)

Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, marking their third straight win, tying a season-high. Evbuomwan and Nic Claxton each added 14 points for Brooklyn, who shot 46.3% from the field.

Sengun, back from a calf injury, put up 24 points and a season-high 20 rebounds, but the Rockets lost their fourth straight game. Brooks and rookie Reed Sheppard both scored 16 points for Houston, who shot 41% from the floor.

The game was close throughout, with 18 lead changes in the first half. Houston led 46-44 at halftime. Sengun gave the Rockets a 57-49 lead with about 7:30 left in the third, but the Nets went on a 14-0 run and outscored Houston 22-10 the rest of the quarter to lead 71-67.

Brooklyn’s lead was trimmed to 88-87 after a 3-pointer by Sheppard with 3:55 remaining. Sengun responded with a hook shot to put the Rockets ahead 89-88, then made a free throw to give Houston a five-point advantage.

Categories
FEATURED

Rockets aim to bounce back and improve against the Nets in Houston

Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets, usually one of the NBA’s better defensive teams, are struggling to protect the paint and are in the middle of their longest losing streak of the season. They’ll try to stop their three-game skid when they face the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night in Brooklyn.

While Houston’s defense ranks sixth in the league, allowing just 108.8 points per game, they’ve allowed 118 points in each of their last three games. In their 124-118 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday, the Rockets gave up 80 points in the paint and allowed 46 points in the fourth quarter.

On Saturday, they gave up 60 points in the paint during a 110-98 loss to the Nets, and they allowed 72 points in the paint in a 120-119 loss to Memphis last Thursday. On average, the Rockets have allowed 48.9 points in the paint this season.

These struggles have come with center Alperen Sengun missing the last few games due to a left calf bruise. Sengun had been playing in every game until his injury on January 28 against the Atlanta Hawks. Without him, the Rockets have had trouble defensively.

After their loss to New York on Monday, coach Ime Udoka said the team was “very soft and uncompetitive defensively,” adding that they had trouble with rebounding, not doing their assignments, and letting players get easy baskets.

Sengun might miss Tuesday’s game as well. If so, Jae’Sean Tate and Steven Adams will likely take most of the minutes at center. Tate played 22 minutes on Monday and Adams played 26. The Rockets will also be without Fred VanVleet, who is week-to-week after injuring his right ankle on Saturday.

Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks

Tari Eason started in place of VanVleet on Monday and scored 12 points. The team was led by Amen Thompson’s triple-double: 25 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds.

On the other hand, the Brooklyn Nets are hoping to win three straight games for the second time this season and break their 11-game home losing streak. Their last home win was on December 4, 2023, when they beat the Indiana Pacers. Since then, they’ve been struggling with a 7-23 record and have failed to score 100 points in their last nine home games.

Brooklyn’s home losing streak is the third-longest in franchise history, with only two longer streaks (14 games in 2010 and 16 games in 2017). They’ll try to end the skid by continuing to give more minutes to their younger players, as Cameron Johnson (right ankle) will miss his fifth straight game. Johnson’s name has also come up in trade rumors ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

Coach Jordi Fernandez remains optimistic, saying after Monday’s practice that the team’s energy was great. He added that while players might be thinking about trade talks, they’re focused on getting through it together and seeing how things unfold.

The Nets are hoping their performance from Saturday, where they shot 49.4% from the field and had six players score in double figures in a 104-83 win over Charlotte, can carry over into Tuesday’s game.

Categories
NBA (Basketball)

Nets stun Rockets with 22-point road victory in Houston

Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets

D’Angelo Russell scored 18 points, and Ziaire Williams nearly had a double-double as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Houston Rockets 110-98 on Saturday. This win came after the Nets ended a seven-game losing streak with a victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

The Nets won back-to-back games for the first time since late November by shooting 49.4 percent from the field. They also outscored the Rockets 60-50 in the paint and held Houston to 40 percent shooting.

Russell was steady throughout the game, and six Nets players scored in double figures. Williams contributed 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Day’Ron Sharpe scored 13 points off the bench. Jalen Wilson and Keon Johnson each added 13 points and eight rebounds, completing the well-rounded performance.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 29 points. However, Houston played without All-Star center Alperen Sengun (calf injury) for the second straight game. Steven Adams filled in for Sengun, scoring 11 points and pulling down seven rebounds.

However, the forward duo of Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks, who combined for 69 points in a win against Boston last week, managed just 24 points on 11-for-30 shooting.

D’Angelo Russell (NBA)

Houston also lost Fred VanVleet to an ankle injury with 4:19 left in the first half. The Rockets have now lost back-to-back games, which hasn’t happened since December, when they lost to Minnesota and Miami at home.

Brooklyn started strong by hitting 3 of their first 4 three-pointers and finished the first quarter with a 26-23 lead, helped by Sharpe’s second-chance basket. The Nets then built a double-digit lead in the second quarter after Houston missed their first seven shots of the period.

Williams’ alley-oop dunk in transition put Brooklyn ahead 45-35 with 2:35 left in the first half. Houston struggled further, missing their last five shots of the half and shooting just 5-for-22 in the second quarter. The Nets took a 53-38 lead into halftime.

In the third quarter, Wilson’s three-point play at 7:32 pushed the lead to 18, and when Williams scored again on a second-chance play at 3:36, Brooklyn’s lead grew to 76-57.

The Nets’ lead reached as high as 22 points at one point.