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3 Nets takeaways from 136-101 loss to Raptors in regular-season finale
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- 3 Nets takeaways from 136-101 loss to Raptors in regular-season finale
The Brooklyn Nets (20-62) had one game left in their 2025-26 NBA season, but they ended the campaign against a tough playoff-level opponent in the Toronto Raptors on Sunday (46-36). Brooklyn endured a tough rebuilding season as they focused on the development of the younger players on the team and those guys showed more fight in their loss to the Raptors.
The Nets lost to the Raptors 136-101 in a matchup where Brooklyn was able to keep the game interesting through three quarters before the game got away from them in the fourth. Two-Way guard Tyson Etienne had another strong game as he finished the contest with 20 points and four assists off the bench while Two-Way forward EJ Liddell had 17 points and four rebounds.
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The Nets began this game with a 8-2 run, looking like they were going to be a tough team for the Raptors to beat, but Toronto answered with a 8-0 run of their own to show they were ready to compete. The Raptors came into the game needing to win if they wanted to keep their spot in the playoffs and not risk having to go through the gauntlet of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Forward Scottie Barnes was arguably the best player on the floor for the Raptors as he finished the game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists in 32 minutes. Forward RJ Barrett also did his part to help Barnes out with the scoring as he notched 26 points and three rebounds while Brandon Ingram had 25 points and nine rebounds of his own.
While the Nets players and coaches are always playing to win every game, there was a chance that Brooklyn could have tied the Indiana Pacers for the second-worst record in the league if Indiana was able to beat the Detroit Pistons . While Indiana ultimately lost to Detroit, the Nets still have a 14.0% chance of getting the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and after this season, Nets fans should be excited about what this offseason could offer.
Tyson Etienne Makes Strong Impression To End Season
Since midway through March, Etienne has been one of the players seeing more playing time as the Nets were officially eliminated from postseason contention while dealing with multiple injuries. Since Mar. 9, Etienne averaged 11.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from the field and 41.1% from behind the three-point line.
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Ben Saraf Has Strong Performance Against Tough Raptors Defense
Saraf was one of the rookies that had a rough start to this season as he was adjusting to the way that the point guard position in the NBA is played. Since Feb. 27, Saraf averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.2% from the floor and 16.7% from three-point land while starting in six of 22 games.
Nets Clinch Top-3 Worst Record In NBA For Lottery
With the Indiana Pacers losing to the Detroit Pistons, the Nets will end the 2025-26 season with the third-worst record in the NBA, meaning that they will be one of three teams with a 14.0% chance of getting the first overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Brooklyn also has a 52.1% chance of their pick landing in the top-4, but they also have a 47.8% chance of their pick landing somewhere between No. 5 and No. 7 as well.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: 3 Nets takeaways from 136-101 loss to Raptors in regular-season finale
