On February 22, 2025, the Brooklyn Nets will travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers, both teams desperately seeking to turn around their disappointing seasons.
Entering this matchup, both the Nets and the 76ers hold identical records of 20 wins and 35 losses. The difference, though, lies in their varying objectives: Brooklyn is aiming for the draft lottery, seeking to secure future talent, whereas Philadelphia is struggling to fulfill its ambitions of contending for the championship.
The Nets are coming off a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they were without their starting guard D'Angelo Russell, who suffered a right ankle sprain during the game. The injury occurred during the third quarter when Russell stepped awkwardly, allowing Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers to grab the offensive rebound. Since joining the Nets via midseason trade, Russell has been pivotal, averaging 13.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game across his first 23 appearances with the team.
With Russell out, it is likely Keon Johnson or newly acquired Killian Hayes will step up as the starting point guard. Johnson has previously thrived playing off the ball, benefiting from Russell's playmaking, whereas Hayes will need to shake off the nerves from his recent transition back to the NBA.
The absence of Russell will significantly impact the Brooklyn offense, which has relied on his experience and skill. Russell has played 17 of the 23 games since his acquisition, hitting 38.1% of his shots from the field. Prior to the injury, he had contributed significantly, dropping 22 points against the 76ers just before the All-Star break.
Meanwhile, the 76ers, embroiled in their own struggles, have lost six consecutive games, resulting in speculation over their performance. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, they will also miss several key players due to injuries, including Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon, Justin Edwards, and Jared McCain, who is out for the season. The desperate situation has led to the team signing Lonnie Walker IV from Lithuania, who will make his debut against the Nets.
Game insights indicate it will be imperative for the Nets to contain the interior, primarily Joel Embiid, who torched Brooklyn for 28 points and 12 rebounds during their last encounter. Emphasis on defensive rotations will be key, especially with Nic Claxton and Day'Ron Sharpe healthy and ready to challenge Embiid, who excelled at the free-throw line converting all 10 attempts previously.
Paul George, another key player for the 76ers, finds himself struggling for form, which presents Brooklyn with an opening to restrict his performance. The Nets hope to diminish his influence, as he's been held under 10 points multiple times recently.
With Russell sidelined, how will Brooklyn adjust its game plan? Head coach Jordi Fernandez has stated the importance of implementing Hayes and fostering his growth within the system. The performance expectations for him will be high as he tries to capitalize on his opportunity, especially against the 76ers.
The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center, and fans can catch the action on YES Network and WFAN Radio.
Both teams look for momentum; with the Nets aiming to avenge their previous loss against Philadelphia and the 76ers eager to end their losing streak. If Brooklyn can make the necessary adjustments and find contributions from their supporting cast, it could be the spark needed to reignite their season.