Nets drop to 0-4 after 137-109 loss to Rockets

"Someone had to get their first win. The Houston Rockets made sure it wasn't the Nets, handing Brooklyn a 137-109 loss Monday night at Toyota Center to send it to 0-4 on the young season. Coming off Sunday's defeat in San Antonio, the Nets looked to salvage the second half of their Texas trip but once again struggled to sustain energy and execution for a full 48 minutes. Brooklyn's 522 points allowed through four games are the most in franchise history "The energy that we've had at times, I need consistency and urgency," head coach Jordi Fernández said. "And that has to be something that we cannot decide that we're doing or not... It's a matter of who we want to be... It's just unacceptable to take an NBA game for granted.""

"With Egor Demin sidelined and fellow rookies Drake Powell and Danny Wolf in the G League, the Nets' short-handed bench opened the door for Nolan Traoré, the 19th overall pick, to see extended minutes. Brooklyn started sharp, hitting its first three shots to jump out 7-2, while Terance Mann poured in 10 quick points on 4-of-5 shooting. But the offense dried up fast. Houston closed the quarter on a 15-0 run, with all eight Rockets who played getting on the board and shot 62.5% from the field to build a 42-25 lead after one. Houston's early cushion didn't hold for long. Brooklyn bounced back with a 35-29 second quarter, hitting five threes and shooting 56.5% while forcing three turnovers. But Tari Eason kept the Rockets in control, scoring 12 of his 20 first-half points in the period to send Houston into halftime up 71-60. Mann was Brooklyn's spark in the first half, scoring 14 points and bringing the bench to its feet with a soaring put-back dunk with 1:20 to play."

The Houston Rockets beat the Brooklyn Nets 137-109, sending Brooklyn to 0-4 on the season. Brooklyn allowed 522 points through four games, the most in franchise history. Head coach Jordi Fernández demanded consistent energy and urgency from the roster. Injuries and G League assignments left the Nets with a short bench and gave Nolan Traoré extended minutes. Brooklyn started well, with Terance Mann sparking the offense, but Houston closed the first quarter on a 15-0 run and led 71-60 at halftime. The Nets' offense stalled in the third quarter, producing a lopsided defeat.

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