Nets suffer most lopsided defeat since 1978

Publish date: 2024-07-07

BOSTON — The Nets’ loss to the Celtics wasn’t just horrific.

It was historic.

Brooklyn got throttled 136-86, in what amounted to its most lopsided defeat in not one but two generations.

The New Jersey Nets had actually suffered a 139-87 loss to the Houston Rockets at Compaq Center back on Oct. 18, 1978.

The only thing that kept the final score from being a dubious record-breaker is the fact that Boston took mercy (pity?) on the Nets, dribbling out the clock on not one but two possessions at the end.

Jacque Vaughn’s Nets suffered one of the worst blowout losses in team history. AP

Tuesday was also the fourth-worst loss by any NBA team this season.

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Portland found a way to lose by 62 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 11.

“They shot 44 3s, and I think when the ball is going in and the momentum of the game, and the ball wasn’t going in for us, you look up at the scoreboard and you had to worry about if we’re going to set a record or not for points scored at one point in the game,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said.

“So I just think it’s just a natural instinct and psyche for a guy or guys when the ball isn’t going in, the other team has momentum and are playing really well. But it’s not the first time this has happened to a team going into the [All-Star] break. I did not think it was going to be us.”

Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh fouls Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas. AP

For what it’s worth, the fewest points scored this season in an NBA game is 77.

So the Nets had that going for them.

Nets assistant general manager Jeff Peterson may soon be getting a promotion.

Three-time NBA champion Mitch Kupchak, who ran the Charlotte Hornets front office for Michael Jordan, is stepping down.

Peterson is on a short list of potential replacements, according to ESPN.

New Orleans GM Trajan Langdon — who was also an assistant GM in Brooklyn under Sean Marks — as well as Cleveland GM Mike Gansey, Philadelphia GM Elton Brand and others are being considered, according to ESPN.

Point guard Ben Simmons sat out Wednesday night, not yet cleared to play back-to-backs.

Dennis Schröder, in his third game as a Net, got his first start in Simmons’ place.

Ben Simmons did not play in the Nets’ blowout loss to the Celtics. Getty Images

Cam Johnson made his return after missing the prior four games.

He had four points on 1 of 5 shooting in 17:43.

He, power forward Dorian Finney-Smith, backup center Day’Ron Sharpe and Lonnie Walker IV were all on minutes restrictions.

Walker actually had his minute limits lowered, according to Vaughn.

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