Strong start fades as Nets drop fifth in a row, 117-112, to Hawks

C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News on Oct 29, 2025

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NEW YORK — The Nets fell to 0-5 after a 117-112 loss to the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday at Barclays Center. Once again, an encouraging start faded quickly as defensive breakdowns and poor execution kept Brooklyn from securing its first win of the season.

Nic Claxton scored seven of Brooklyn’s first 12 points and Cam Thomas added five as they jumped on Atlanta out of the gate, forcing five straight misses and ripping off a 12-0 run. But just as fast as the Nets built that cushion, they lost it. Atlanta settled in, tightened up defensively and outscored them 34-15 the rest of the period to take a seven-point advantage into the second quarter.

Atlanta kept rolling from there. Onyeka Okongwu buried a 3-pointer to make it a 43-29 game with 9:48 left in the first half, and Nets head coach Jordi Fernández — once again frustrated with his team’s waning effort — immediately called timeout. Despite losing All-Star Trae Young to a right knee injury in the first quarter, the Hawks stayed in control and carried a 64-51 lead into the break.

Thomas picked up four fouls in the first half and shot just 1 for 8 from the field, while Michael Porter Jr. carried the Nets with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Porter kept the Nets alive in the third quarter, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting with three made triples by the 9:02 mark. His hot hand fueled a 13-6 Brooklyn run that sliced Atlanta’s lead to six and gave it a spark to start the second half.

The Nets narrowly won the third quarter, 32-30, shooting 52.4% from the field. Porter scored 11 points in the period and Thomas added eight, but Brooklyn still allowed Atlanta to shoot 52.2% and knock down four more 3s, keeping the deficit in double digits entering the final frame.

Brooklyn cut the deficit to three with 1:28 left, but the Hawks held firm in the final seconds to seal the victory.

Porter carried the scoring load with 32 points, while Thomas chipped in 19 despite struggling from the field. Terance Mann handled more of the playmaking duties, finishing with a team-best six assists to help steady Brooklyn’s offense.

Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Nets will have a few days to regroup before returning home Sunday to take on the Philadelphia 76ers.