The Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets 127-115 Sunday afternoon at Barclays Center, snapping a three-game losing streak, improving to 11-22 and earning their first win of 2026 in the process.
Brooklyn had six players score at least 13 points, its most in a game this season, led by Michael Porter Jr., who poured in 27 points on 8-for-17 shooting with 11 rebounds and five assists in a game that carried extra weight.
“I was excited for that first matchup, really since I was traded,” Porter said. “I was looking forward to playing against those guys, for sure. It’s been circled on my calendar for a minute.”
It was Porter’s first matchup against his former team since last summer’s trade, and the Nuggets keyed in on him immediately, showing two defenders nearly everywhere he went. The attention kept him from finding an early rhythm as a scorer but also cracked open the floor for everyone else.
The Nets responded with balance, ball movement and pace, getting contributions from across the lineup while Porter drew the focus. Noah Clowney scored eight points and the bench chipped in 10 more between Ziaire Williams, Nolan Traoré and Drake Powell. Brooklyn shot 50% in the opening quarter, assisted on nine of its 10 made field goals and built a lead as large as nine. Even with Jamal Murray held scoreless over his first 12 minutes, the Nuggets stayed close thanks to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Aaron Gordon, who combined for 17 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting stretch that trimmed the Nets’ lead to 33-29 entering the second.
Porter managed seven points in the opening quarter, though he went just 1-for-4 from the field, with five of those points coming at the free-throw line.
Denver continued to crowd Porter in the second quarter, but this time he handled the pressure far better. He knocked down tough looks, mixed in a few easy finishes and began to dictate possessions instead of reacting to them. Porter went 3-for-4 from the field in the quarter, pushing his total to 16 points by halftime and helping Brooklyn steady itself through a colder offensive stretch. The Nets shot just 40% in the quarter but made up for it on the other end, limiting Denver to 36.8% shooting overall.
“To compete against [Denver] instead of with [them] was different, but that’s the nature of the sport,” Porter said.
Murray eventually found his footing with seven points in the period, but he was the only Nuggets starter to make a field goal in the second quarter, as Denver leaned heavily on its bench for offense. That imbalance helped Brooklyn’s defensive efforts, as it took a 59-52 lead into the break.
Cam Thomas’ night, meanwhile, was quiet early. He attempted just one shot and recorded no assists in 11 first-half minutes off the bench, with Denver sending multiple bodies his way much like it did with Porter. The aggression and engagement weren’t there early, but the second half told a different story. Thomas finished with 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting with four rebounds, providing a much-needed scoring punch as the Nets created separation after halftime.
The Nets opened the third quarter on a 25-14 run, pushing the lead to 84-66 with five minutes left in the period. They carried a 100-84 advantage into the final frame, as Thomas, Clowney and Porter powered a 66.7% shooting effort in the quarter. Denver made a late push, cutting it to 11 with 59.6 seconds left, but Brooklyn had built enough cushion and sealed it at the line.
Murray paced the Nuggets with 27 points on 11-for-23 shooting with six rebounds and 16 assists.
The Nets return to action Wednesday against the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center.
