Things are getting rough in Brooklyn. The Nets have now lost a season-worst four straight games after getting blown out by the Philadelphia 76ers, 123-94, on Saturday at Barclays Center.
Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Ben Simmons and Trendon Watford headlined Brooklyn’s lengthy inactive list. D’Angelo Russell did not play in the second half because of a right shin contusion, which left head coach Jordi Fernandez with a completely gutted roster that had no answer for Sixers stars Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid.
The Nets raced out to an 11-0 start behind a pair of Ziaire Williams 3-pointers, and that was basically their highlight of the night. Embiid took over the paint and Philadelphia ended the first quarter on a 29-8 run to go up 10 entering the second.
It was a 64-47 game at halftime and a 91-66 game through three quarters. And as the Sixers continued to systematically dismantle Brooklyn down the stretch, most of the Barclays Center crowd sat in silence, only to rise for the t-shirt toss with 6:50 left. Brooklyn trailed 102-76 at that point.
The Nets fell to 13-22 with the loss and have now dropped seven of their last 10. They reached double-digit wins and were just three games under .500 on Dec. 4.
Embiid led Philadelphia with 28 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes. The Sixers, who shot 51.2% from the field and made 15 3-pointers, were gifted 32 points off 22 Brooklyn turnovers.
Williams stepped up and led the Nets with 19 points (6-for-9 shooting), three rebounds and two assists in his eighth start of the season. Williams tied a career high with four made 3-pointers, and Keon Johnson tied a career high with eight assists.
Tosan Evbuomwan, the Nets’ newest two-way signee, made his Brooklyn debut against the 76ers and finished with three points in 21 minutes. The England native became the second Princeton alum to suit up for the Nets all-time, joining Steve Goodrich.
Brooklyn will return to action on Monday against the Indiana Pacers at Barclays Center.
