By Christian Spencer
The Brooklyn Nets' first home game of the season was a thrilling show of their new identity under head coach Jordi Fernández, culminating in a hard-fought victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.
After a dominant performance in the first three quarters, the Nets held on for a narrow win, despite a challenging fourth quarter marked by key turnovers.
The victory not only marked Fernández's first win as head coach but also signaled a fresh start for the Nets as they seek to rebuild into a contending team.
"I think we took those steps forward. It’s not that we only played in the first half; we also played in the second half. So that was our goal: sustained effort. We still fouled, but in a good way. I thought we needed that physicality," Fernández said. "You can see, quarter by quarter, we found a way to win the first three quarters, and then we lost the fourth. I’m very happy for the guys. They did a great job. That’s the identity that we want to have. We want to be a pressure team. We want to play fast and get high-quality shots. I think we did a good job against a very good team. So, congrats to those guys up front."
In the first quarter, the Nets held a narrow lead of 27-25, thanks in large part to Nic Claxton's defensive prowess, highlighted by a critical block against Delon Wright’s three-pointer in the closing moments.
The pressure remained a consistent factor for the Bucks throughout the game.
"Nic said it after the Orlando game, ‘I gotta do better,’ and today, he played like we want him to play—like one of the best defensive players in the NBA," Fernández said. "That’s what I’m going to challenge him to do: have high standards because we have high expectations from him. He was the anchor of our defense, communicating and leading out there."
As the second quarter progressed, the Nets maintained their slight edge with strategic plays and key rebounds. Dennis Schröder’s deep three-pointer from 26 feet at the 9:20 mark, along with defensive rebounds from players like Dorian Finney-Smith, kept Brooklyn competitive.
However, Giannis Antetokounmpo responded for Milwaukee with strong rebounding and a layup, narrowing the gap.
"Dennis played international basketball, and he’s doing it here again—bringing toughness, leadership, and really being a coach on the floor," Fernández said. "Obviously, he made shots, and we love when all these guys make shots. He was very efficient and had a plus-27. That’s worth noting. He had six assists to two turnovers, and both of our point guards combined for 12 assists to two turnovers. That’s the kind of ratio we want.
"A series of crucial turnovers plagued the Bucks, including a costly errant pass by Taurean Prince at the 3:08 mark. Although Damian Lillard’s free throws helped close the distance, the Bucks struggled to capitalize on their opportunities.
As the clock wound down, Claxton sank a jump shot from 11 feet out, assisted by Cameron Johnson, which extended Brooklyn's advantage.
Johnson also came up big with a crucial defensive rebound, helping the Nets stifle the Bucks' final attempts to close the gap.
Despite Finney-Smith’s three-point attempt from 24 feet falling short, Brooklyn's relentless effort on the boards and smart play kept them in control as they headed into halftime, maintaining a narrow lead of 48-45 while showcasing solid defensive maneuvers and court awareness.
As the third quarter progressed, the intensity on the court increased. Cam Thomas electrified the crowd with a 27-foot three-pointer, extending Brooklyn's lead even further.
Despite the Bucks' attempts to fight back, including free throws from Lillard, the Nets remained resilient.
"His engagement was impressive," Fernández said of Thomas. "He constantly talked to his teammates and to me on both ends. He was very involved, and that’s what I want to see from CT. I want to see this growth. We’ll give you the ball because we know your superpowers. Now, can you do it efficiently? Can you make your teammates better? Can you guard? All those things he’s doing right now. I’m going to keep pushing him to get there."
The fourth quarter began with the Nets leading 83-78.
From the beginning, Claxton showed off his rebounding ability by grabbing a defensive rebound after Schröder missed his jumper.
The vehemence picked up as Antetokounmpo intercepted the ball from Claxton on the next play, signaling fierce competition—or perhaps desperation from Milwaukee to close the gap.
Claxton then committed a personal foul, escalating the tension further. With the crowd roaring, Bobby Portis hit a 27-foot three-pointer off a Giannis assist, narrowing the score to 83-81.
The Bucks were finding their rhythm as the momentum shifted.
As the Nets began to show signs of fatigue, Thomas confidently sank two free throws, extending Brooklyn’s lead.
Clowney then delivered a crucial jump shot, widening the advantage to 87-81.
However, Giannis was relentless, driving to the hoop for a layup and keeping Milwaukee in the chase.
Each missed shot and turnover raised the stakes. Claxton electrified the crowd with a powerful dunk, pushing the score to 89-83. Portis responded with a layup, cutting it to 89-85, while the Nets relied on steady free throws to keep a narrow lead.
Thomas then nailed a deep three-pointer, widening the gap to 94-85 and sending the crowd into cheers. With time winding down, Milwaukee called a full timeout to regroup.
"I think it's, you know, the game of basketball is like momentum and runs, right? And I thought at that point we took the lead by doing what we're doing: pressuring the ball, the five players in physical defense, and then getting on a run, taking good shots," Fernández said. "All the guys bought into it, and we didn't shy away from our identity. We just kept doing it. And that was pretty cool to see."
The Bucks returned with renewed energy as Lillard sank a crucial three-pointer, closing in at 94-88. But the Nets stayed composed.
Schroder, directing the play, found Thomas on the perimeter, who nailed another jumper, stretching the lead to 96-88.
The back-and-forth exchanges kept fans on edge, each side battling for control.
Giannis, determined as ever, drove through the paint for a powerful dunk, trimming the deficit to 96-90.
With the pressure mounting, Claxton rose to the challenge, blocking a key shot from Portis and grabbing another rebound.
With under two minutes remaining, the Bucks ramped up full-court pressure, trying to force turnovers.
Claxton’s clutch free throws pushed Brooklyn to a safer 98-90 lead.
Yet Milwaukee fought back; Lillard’s layup followed by a defensive stop allowed Giannis to score, narrowing it to 98-92.
In the final minute, the Nets faced their own drastic pressure but held steady. Claxton battled for another board, and with the Bucks forced to foul, Schröder calmly hit both free throws, bringing the score to 100-92.
As the last seconds ticked away, Milwaukee attempted a final rally, but the Nets' defense and timely rebounding sealed the game.
The Nets celebrated a hard-earned 101-95 victory, setting a hopeful tone for the season. Fans erupted in cheers as players acknowledged the crowd, a fitting end to an electrifying home opener.
Comments