The NBA’s finest protection over the previous month was no match for the league’s finest shooter of all time.
The Nets saw their season-best three-game profitable streak snapped by Steph Curry and his Warriors, crushed 120-107 before a sellout crowd of 18,163 at Barclays Center.
Unlike the previous several Golden State visits, the home crowd really was pulling for the home team. Maybe it was that they came in having won seven of 10, or perhaps followers were responding to the hustle the Nets had proven in main the league in both scoring and area objective protection over that run. But it ended Monday.
“This is a very special team. Ball movement, they’re No. 1 in passes per game. And the way they shoot the 3, the style of play, they don’t run a lot of pick-and-roll. There’s a lot of off-ball, body movement and ball movement. And you don’t know until you know. You don’t know until you play them. Our young guys have never done it,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “We’re going to have a real test. It’s not going to be a traditional pick-and-roll and that’s it. It’s going to be a different animal out there.”
Cam Thomas #24 of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for a shot as Trayce Jackson-Davis #32 of the Golden State Warriors blocks during the first half on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The Nets string of holding 5 straight foes under 108 factors — second finest in the NBA this season — was snapped. Curry had a game-high-tying 27 factors, and Jimmy Butler added 21 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, figuring out an lively long-armed protection that rebuilding Brooklyn hopes to make a staple going ahead.
Michael Porter Jr. poured in 27 factors, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, capturing 5-for-9 from behind the arc.
Lottery decide Egor Dëmin continued his sturdy play over the previous couple of weeks, with 23 factors on a career-high 7-of-14 from deep, a new Nets rookie file.
But despite holding Golden State to just 10-of-33 capturing from 3-point vary, the Nets’ protection couldn’t carry them to victory — though it could impress the Warriors.
“They’re a long, athletic team at multiple spots, and they cause a lot of problems defensively with that activity,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
The Nets fell to 10-20.
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives go Danny Wolf #2 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half when the Brooklyn Nets performed the Golden State Warriors Monday, December 29, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The Nets sprinted out of the beginning blocks rapidly behind Porter. They led by as much as 13, at 28-15 after a bucket by Nic Claxton (15 factors, 9 boards, three steals, three blocks) with 4:16 left in the first.
And even after the Warriors steadied themselves, it still was 69-64 before they caught a seeming break that ended up working against them.
The Nets’ lively, long-armed protection largely had held Curry in test to that level, with 10 factors on 3-of-8 capturing, just 2-of-7 from deep. But that didn’t last.
Terance Mann fouled Curry on what Curry thought was a 20-footer, but the play was whistled on the ground. The call appeared to encourage the Golden State star.
A fired-up Curry personally outscored Brooklyn 10-2 over the next two minutes, capping the run with a step-back 3-pointer as he waved and barked at somebody, probably the Nets, possibly the refs, perhaps both.
But Brooklyn out of the blue trailed 74-71 with 5:13 left in the third, and 89-85 going into the fourth.
When Draymond Green discovered Will Richard for a 3-pointer with 9:49 to play, the deficit had swelled to 97-88. The Nets never erased it.
Dëmin pulled Brooklyn within 98-95 on a 3-pointer with 7:30 left, but that’s as shut as they got.
Still, it was beneficial for their rookies, with 4 of their file 5 first-round picks in the rotation for significant minutes.
Nic Claxton #33 of the Brooklyn Nets goes up for a shot over Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half. Robert Sabo for NY Post
“Looks like it’s working,” Kerr said. “I watched the Minnesota recreation. That was spectacular. … Every time we’ve performed them over the previous couple years, they’ve been energetic, effectively organized, effectively coached.
“I just think they’re doing a great job. Jordi is doing a great job, his staff, player development, in the face of obviously a rebuild, but seven out of 10 wins, best defense in the league in December. So they’re doing something right.”
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