The Brooklyn Nets took their third loss of the 2024-25 season in a competitive matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. The Nets had the advantage on the Nuggets in several stages of the game, but Nikola Jokic's historical performance propelled Denver to a 144-139 win.
Jokic recorded a triple-double of 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists. In the process, he joined Oscar Robertson, who completed the feat twice, as the only players in NBA history to total 29-plus points, 18-plus rebounds, and 16-plus assists in a game, per NBA.com.
The Nuggets were not afraid to let Jokic run the show, and while the Nets put up a good fight, they could not stop the three-time MVP. So what does Brooklyn showing against Jokic and Denver's offense mean?
For positives, the Nets showed their defense can compete against superstars. Sure, Brooklyn could not stop Jokic from scoring into double-figures or slow down his playmaking, but they kept the game close and had Jokic and his squad on the ropes.
The Nets outworked the Nuggets in the first half, leading 72-63. Unfortunately, Brooklyn's gas began to run out down the stretch of the game, but they still fought hard. Ziaire Williams captured the Net's fighting spirit during the fourth quarter when he made a corner three-pointer and proceeded to pick Russell Westbrook up full court and force a turnover on him:
Ziaire Williams drains a relocation three before picking up Russell Westbrook fullcourt and forcing a turnover on the other end.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) October 30, 2024
I really can't say enough about how good he's been tonight. pic.twitter.com/zY1RmfVk3X
Nevertheless, like many young teams, Brooklyn's defense could not close things out at the end of the game. By end of the night, the Nets allowed the Nuggets to shoot 48.1 percent on their three-pointers and 51.7 percent from the field. On the bright side, the Nets finished with six total blocks and four steals, greater than Denver's four and three totals.
Brooklyn will learn from Tuesday night's outing as it takes on more challenges during the season.
Nets face another battle with Grizzlies
Brooklyn's defense will need to be on its toes again when they face Memphis on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies could be without their star offensive player Ja Morant due his right thigh soreness. However, the Nets will likely have to keep tabs on Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Bane has continued his reliable scoring for Memphis, averaging 21.0 points on a 40.0 percent three-point shooting clip through his first four games. Meanwhile, Jackson Jr. has returned to the Grizzlies' lineup after dealing with his own injury woes. Jackson can hurt the Nets from nearly anywhere on the court and poses a significant threat to Brooklyn's offense as a defender.
Can the Nets bounce back in this second night of their back-to-back?