Inside The Nets

Three Crucial Takeaways from Nets' Heartbreaking Loss to Hawks

In what was supposed to be a bounce-back game from two straight losses, the Nets struggled in the clutch against the Hawks.

Peter Sunjic

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Most people expected the Brooklyn Nets to have fresh legs against the Atlanta Hawks, who were playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The team still lost 145-147 in overtime, which is an objectively bad loss for the Nets.

With a 6-8 record in the 2023/24 season and facing their third consecutive loss, the Nets' current performance is causing concern among fans who anticipated a stronger showing at this point of the season. Here are a few takeaways from the thrilling affair.

The Nets need to improve their defense

Even if this was an overtime game, 147 points conceded does not look good for any team. When you look at how the Hawks scored 45 points in the first quarter alone, that is a sign of a struggling defense.

Brooklyn needs both Ben Simmons and Dennis Smith Jr. back as they are the premier defensive stoppers for this team. They will also help relieve pressure off Bridges and Nic Claxton who have carried the defense thus far.

“We just gotta figure it out defensively. Just too many points. The third quarter was good but that first, a team coming off a back-to-back and we gave them confidence,” Mikal Bridges said in his post-game presser.

Mikal Bridges is finding a consistent rhythm

After starting the season slowly, Mikal Bridges finally found his rhythm on the offensive end. In this game, he was superb as made 16 out of his 31 shots while going perfect from the free-throw line on all five shots, nothing his career high in the process. 

Mikal is currently maintaining an average of 22.1 points per game this season, a promising development considering that most Nets fans view him as their main man.

This upward tick in Bridges’ scoring will be even better when Cameron Thomas returns from his injury. An offense spearheaded by both players will make the defense struggle to contain both of them.

The supporting cast is improving

This was a good performance from players aside from Bridges. Spencer Dinwiddie had a solid game on offense as he scored 26 points while dishing 12 assists. 

Nic Claxton delivered his usually strong performance, achieving a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, Cameron Johnson emerged from his shooting struggles, contributing 23 points and sinking five three-pointers.

The Nets are set to improve in future games but they need to get back on track soon because they are getting further and further from a .500 record.

Nets' 145-147 Overtime Loss to Hawks: Mikal Bridges Shines, But Defense Falters

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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