The Nets‘ three-game winning streak came to an end in blowout fashion Wednesday night inside Barclays Center. Despite trading away Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas earlier in the day, the ailing Washington Wizards were the clear aggressors from the opening tap and systematically dismantled Brooklyn 119-102
The Wizards opened the game on a 10-2 run and built a 21-9 lead with 5:47 left in the first quarter. The Nets shot 1-for-6 from the field with three turnovers in the first three minutes, and the night began to sputter out of control from there.
Brooklyn recovered in the second quarter with a 61.9% shooting effort, and Cam Johnson — back from a six-game absence — poured in 10 points in the period. But it still surrendered six 3-pointers and allowed Washinton to shoot 50%. It still struggled to contain Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole, who combined for 22 points in the first half. And it added up to a 65-61 Nets deficit at halftime.
The Nets shot just 21.1% in a third quarter where they were outscored 23-12, and that’s when the game truly got out of hand. An 88-73 game entering the fourth quarter, the Wizards opened up a 23-point lead with 10 minutes remaining and led by 25 with 4:22 left.
There was no inspired rally from Brooklyn this time. It surrendered 20 treys, shot just 43.4% for the game, and allowed seven Wizards to finish in double figures. Washington was the worst team in the league record-wise entering the night.
The Nets fell to 17-34 with the loss.
Keon Johnson led Brooklyn with 25 points and six rebounds. Johnson added 17 points and three 3-pointers in his first appearance since Jan. 21.
Poole paced the Wizards with 19 points, three rebounds and eight assists.
The Nets will return to action on Friday against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center, but not before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.
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