Brooklyn Nets Open Preseason with Loss to Los Angeles Clippers

The Brooklyn Nets faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers in their preseason opener, resulting in a 115-106 defeat. The game took place at Frontwave Arena, attended by a sellout crowd including team owner Joe Tsai and his wife Clara Wu Tsai. The atmosphere marked the debut of Jordi Fernández as the Nets head coach.

Missing key players, including starting center Day’Ron Sharpe, the Nets began their preseason without several rotation players. Meanwhile, the Clippers played without star Kawhi Leonard. The absence of these significant players influenced the game’s dynamic, though it provided a glimpse into Fernández’s coaching style.

In the early stages, Brooklyn struggled to find its footing, trailing by 18 points at one juncture. The initial quarter saw the Nets coughing up the first 12 points to a robust Clippers side led by former Nets player James Harden, who scored all his 14 points in the first half before sitting out the second half.

Ben Simmons, returning from a back injury, was quiet at the start but gained momentum in the second quarter, contributing to a Nets resurgence. The Nets briefly took the lead with a 16-1 run, highlighted by Cam Johnson, but ultimately fell behind again.

Ziaire Williams, a recent acquisition, showcased his potential with strong defensive plays and effective scoring. Williams, alongside Cam Thomas, stood out with Thomas finishing with 12 points, embracing a team-oriented play style rather than focusing solely on personal scoring highlights.

Head Coach Jordi Fernández emphasized team dynamics and improvements, noting, “This is our first game. The beginning was rocky but got better. I liked how we shared the ball and took the right shots.” His focus on competitiveness and improving “one percent better every day” was apparent throughout the game, despite the loss.

The Nets’ adjustments will be crucial moving forward, especially establishing a rhythm with their fast-paced play style. Players like Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons will be essential in integrating new strategies and maintaining momentum.

As the preseason continues, the Nets aim to refine their play under Fernández’s guidance, looking to make significant strides before the regular season commences.