Nets Fall to Pistons 113-98 Amid Injuries and Road Trip Looming

The Brooklyn Nets, already bracing for a grueling six-game road trip, suffered a 113-98 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night at Barclays Center. The defeat marked their third consecutive loss during a homestand, as the team struggled with injuries and inconsistency.

Noah Clowney led the Nets with a career-high 29 points, including 5-for-11 from three-point range, but his effort wasn’t enough to overcome a depleted roster. The Nets played without four starters: Cam Thomas (hamstring), Cam Johnson (ankle), D'Angelo Russell (shin), and Ben Simmons (lower back management), as well as Day'Ron Sharpe (illness).

The Pistons capitalized on the Nets’ struggles, outscoring them 32-21 in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Malik Beasley led Detroit with 23 points, while Simone Fontecchio added 17 off the bench. Cade Cunningham, despite a quiet first half, finished with 13 points, five assists, and five rebounds.

‘I’m very proud of this group. They keep fighting,’ said Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. ‘What we have to look at is what we can do better. Our shots at the rim got blocked, and those are like turnovers. It’s a learning process.’

The Nets briefly cut the deficit to six points in the third quarter after a Clowney dunk, but the Pistons responded with a 9-0 run to regain control. Detroit’s 36 fast-break points and the Nets’ 15 turnovers proved decisive in the outcome.

Despite the loss, Clowney’s performance provided a silver lining. ‘I liked his versatility and competitiveness,’ Fernandez said. ‘He’s being aggressive. Proud of him, but I still think he can be even better.’

The Pistons, now 19-18, extended their winning streak to five games. ‘This group is at its best when playing with a spirit of joy,’ said Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. ‘When we’re lifting each other up, that’s when we’re at our best.’

The Nets now face a challenging road trip, including two games in fire-ravaged Los Angeles next week. With key players sidelined, the team will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks.