The Brooklyn Nets secured their first win of the season but face an immediate challenge as they prepare to visit the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday. The Garden has been a difficult venue for the Nets, who suffered significant losses there last season.
Last year, the Nets were defeated 134-98 on November 9 and then experienced an even more substantial defeat on January 21, losing 120-66. That latter game marked the largest margin of loss in the rivalry's history and the second-largest in Nets franchise history, a result that still lingers with the team.
Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. emphasized the importance of remembering those past defeats. "We’ve got a big game [Monday] that we should be very excited to play," Porter said. "Last year, when we went to the Garden, it was not pretty, and we should remember that and look forward to getting our rest [Sunday night] and going in there and being competitive. I know I’m looking forward to it."
Julius Randle, who played five seasons with the Knicks before joining the Nets, will face his former team for the first time. Unaware of the extent of last season's defeats at the Garden, Randle stated, "I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun. No, I don’t know nothing about it. I live in the present, baby. … Focus on what we need to do to get a win, build off of what we did [Sunday] and stick together as a group."
The Nets will see the return of rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr. for Monday's game after he missed Sunday's win due to back injury management. Head coach Jordi Fernández confirmed Brown is expected to play, though he will continue to have his minutes managed.
In Sunday's victory, Day'Ron Sharpe was a key contributor, recording 15 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists, with a season-high in points and boards. "Unbelievable. He was big on the boards. He did a little of everything: He made his 3. He set screens. Very happy for him. We don’t win this game without him, and the reality is how much he cares about winning and impacting winning," Fernández said. Porter added, "I told him finally he gets more than 10 rebounds. I think he can do that night in, night out, get 10-plus rebounds. And if he does that, we’re gonna be a hard team to beat, especially if he’s getting four offensive rebounds."