NBA fans have slammed the Brooklyn Nets as ‘unwatchable’ after they lost their third consecutive game without Kevin Durant.
The Nets, who were also without Kyrie Irving through a sore right calf, fell to a 106-98 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night, despite Ben Simmons chipping in with a triple-double.
Brooklyn has now dropped every game since Durant suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and has slipped way off the pace of Eastern Conference leaders, the Boston Celtics.
The Brooklyn Nets lost their third consecutive game without an injured Kevin Durant (above)
Fans ripped into the team, labelling it ‘unwatchable’ without Durant and Kyrie Irving
The three-game skid has fans worried that Brooklyn could be facing a repeat of last season and has already ruled itself out of championship contention.
Taking to Twitter, one fan posted: ‘Ok. Now I’m starting to get worried. Couldn’t drop 100pts against the worst defensive team in the league? #Nets #NetsWorld.’
‘The Nets are now 0-3 since Kevin Durant went down with an injury,’ another added. ‘Really really hoping this isn’t a repeat of last season.’
Meanwhile, on NBA fan ruled the team out of contention, arguing: ‘If you can’t even win 1 game without KD, that means the team isn’t a contender point blank period. It’s legitimately that simple to understand. There is no type of Analysis that can disprove this.’
The three-game skid has fans worried that Brooklyn has already ruled itself out of contention
‘Nets in trouble without Kevin Durant, who has to be thinking his championship possibilities are slim with this roster,’ one backed up.
Others ripped into the Nets, claiming the team is ‘unwatchable’ without Durant with some urging him to request another trade.
‘I’m glad the Nets didn’t trade Durant/Irving… I couldn’t watch this every night,’ one fan wrote.
Another echoed their thoughts, adding: ‘The Nets without Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are unwatchable.’
‘I hope @KDTrey5 requests a trade again,’ another chimed in. ‘I will be there right by his side supporting him.’
While some were thankful Durant was still in Brooklyn, others urged him to request a trade
However, others claimed that the impact of Durant’s absence on the team only proved that he deserved being named MVP.
‘GSW WITHOUT Steph and Wiggins moved up multiple spots seeding wise,’ one fan began. ‘Same with Bucks WITHOUT Giannis and Middleton.
‘Nets can’t win one game without just Kevin Durant. 0-3 since he’s been injured and now they’re 5th in the East when he had them 2nd in the whole NBA. He’s the MVP.’
Another agreed, posting: ‘Proving that @KDTrey5 deserves the MVP more and more every game he misses.’
Others claimed that the impact of Durant’s absence proved that he deserved MVP title
Keldon Johnson had a career-high 34 points and 10 rebounds and Jeremy Sochan added 16 points to help the San Antonio Spurs snap a five-game skid over the injury slowed Brooklyn Nets.
Johnson was 11 for 26 from the field, including two key baskets in the fourth quarter. He hit a 3-pointer following a missed 3 by Seth Curry, giving the Spurs an 87-82 lead. One possession after Nic Claxton blocked his dunk attempt, Johnson threw down a one-handed dunk for an 89-82 lead.
Simmons had a triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for Brooklyn in the opener of a five-game trip. T.J. Warren added 19 points and Claxton had 15 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and four assists.
Ben Simmons had a triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for Brooklyn
A flare-up midway through the second quarter between Markieff Morris and Sochan momentarily sparked the Nets. Sochan held three fingers up near Morris´ face after draining a 3-pointer that gave San Antonio a 39-34 lead with 5:20 remaining in the half.
The Nets’ veteran verbally let the rookie know that wasn´t appreciated and then delivered a shoulder into Sochan´s chest on the ensuing possession. The play resulted in an offensive and technical foul on Morris, as well as a Flagrant 1 foul on Sochan, who pulled Morris to the court on the play.
Brooklyn went on a 15-3 run following the dustup, erasing yet another sluggish start.
There was a flare-up in the second quarter between Markieff Morris and Jeremy Sochan
That momentum crashed to a halt in the third quarter as the Nets were outscored 25-17 in the period.
The Nets were scoreless for four minutes after Simmons made the game´s opening basket on a driving hook shot 23 seconds in. Simmons opened the game shooting 2 for 5 after a series of spin moves and drives ended with most of his shots rolling off the rim.
San Antonio raced to a 23-9 lead aided by Brooklyn´s six turnovers.
San Antonio led Brooklyn 27-15 after first quarter. It was the fewest points scored by a Spurs opponent in the first quarter this season. The previous low was 23 points by Minnesota on October 30. The Nets were slowed by seven turnovers.
Related Post
