Nets lose
For the second time in a week, the Nets actually had a clean injury report and their whole team available against the injury-riddled Mavericks.
And it didn’t matter.
The Nets lost 123-114 before a crowd of 16,510 at Barclays Center, and were largely outclassed from start to finish.
Marvin Bagley, who scored a team-high 22 points off the bench, goes up for a layup during the Nets’ 123-114 loss to the Mavericks on Feb. 24, 2026 at Barclays Center. NBAE via Getty Images
“It was all defense. In the first half, you look at those 76 points and it’s pretty atrocious,” said Jordi Fernández. “From the ball pressure to everybody behind it, the communication, we were not in place and our efforts were either too late or too much, never on point.”
The Nets allowed 58.5 percent shooting, including 64.4 percent in a first half that saw them outscored 76-64 by a Mavs team missing 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving and Derek Lively II.
The Nets let Marvin Bagley III score 22 points on 10-for-13 shooting.
The Nets (15-42) are third in the lottery standings.
Day’Ron Sharpe, who scored seven points off the bench, slams home a dunk during the Nets’ loss to the Maverick on Feb. 24, 2026 at Barclays Center. Robert Sabo for New York Post
They stayed a game behind second-place Indiana, and moved a game ahead of Washington and New Orleans.
Michael Porter Jr. had a game-high 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting, but he didn’t grab a single rebound as the Nets got battered 44-28 on the glass.
“I could be playing better. I’ve got to get back in rhythm. Before the All-Star break I didn’t play a couple games, and then I honestly didn’t do much over the break, so I’ve got to get back in rhythm and play better,” said Porter, now 10-for-55 from deep in his last seven.
“My shot hasn’t felt this off since I can remember. For the last 4 or 5 games. That’s what happens when you’re out of rhythm and you don’t play for a while… I think not playing before the break and not getting in the gym much during it, I’m paying the price for it. But I’ll get back to it sooner rather than later.”
Noah Clowney added 22 points on 4-for-5 shooting from deep. But Egor Dëmin had just three points on 1-for-7 shooting, and Brooklyn’s sievelike defense ensured the loss.
The Nets trailed by as much as 15, after Bagley drilled a 3-pointer to give Dallas a 59-44 lead with 5:44 left in the first half.
Brooklyn Nets Ochai Agbaji puts up a shot as Daniel Gafford of the Dallas Mavericks blocks during the second half on February 24, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Brooklyn still trailed 104-96 with nine minutes to play before Terance Mann (17 points off the bench) sandwiched 3-pointers around Clowney’s block of Bagley. His second long ball pulled Brooklyn within a deuce with 7:42 remaining.
But when Klay Thompson splashed a 30-footer it killed the Nets’ momentum.
And when Brandon Williams hit a tough 3-pointer over the outstretched arms of Nic Claxton (16 points, nine assists, three steals but just four boards) proved a dagger, making it 113-106. The Nets never recovered.
Dallas’ PJ Washington limped off the court with 1:11 to play.