Defense was a primary concern regarding the Brooklyn Nets' ability to compete this season. Through four games, those worries have looked justified.
The Nets have allowed 123.8 points per game during their 0-4 start. They've allowed opponents to post a 58.1 effective field goal percentage, the highest in the NBA. Despite this, head coach Jordi Fernandez said he's feeling “very positive” about Brooklyn's defensive outlook.
“I've been happy with the aggressiveness of the group. I mean, it's not perfect… But I'm happy with how the group is working,” Fernandez said before Tuesday's 125-124 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. “I know that we have to contest threes better. We're limiting the rim [attempts], but we don't limit the percentage. Teams are finishing very well at the rim. So being better situated on the court [is key]. That means more help defense, verticalities, charges, all that will help. Right now we're playing so spread out. That means you need a team that is compacted to help one another. And those things that we're working on.
I'm very, very, very positive that the group will keep getting better. It's three games, and I believe we all want to solve things right away. And that's the excitement that everybody has, us included, the fans. But we know that the way these guys approach the day-to-day and the work they've put in, I'm just very, very positive about how things are going to go.”
Jordi Fernandez told me he's feeling "very positive" about the Nets' defense improving soon:
“I've been happy with the aggressiveness of the group. I mean, it's not perfect… I'm happy with how the group is working… I know we have to contest threes better. We limit rim… pic.twitter.com/Iuirj4zbNJ
— Erik Slater (@ErikSlater_) October 27, 2026
Fernandez has employed an aggressive defensive scheme focused on forcing turnovers and disrupting the rhythm of opposing ball handlers. The Nets have been successful in the former.
Jordi Fernandez confident Nets can improve struggling defense as season progresses
Fernandez's squad has forced the sixth-most turnovers in the league (18.3 per game) but struggled to capitalize on the other end, ranking 10th in points off turnovers (19.8 per game). They've been giving up quality looks at the highest rate in the league when they don't force turnovers.
The Nets' opponents have attempted 42.5 threes per game, the third-most in the NBA. More notably, Brooklyn is surrendering 21.8 wide-open threes (6+ feet of space) per game, the second-most in the NBA. Opponents have shot 47.1 percent on those looks. Fernandez's squad is surrendering the 11th-fewest rim attempts per game (30.0) but allowing opponents to shoot 69.2 percent, the league's third-highest mark.
Article Continues BelowEven with the Celtics shooting 11-of-41 (26.8 percent) from three on Tuesday, the Nets allowed 117 points in regulation and 125 total. That was largely because they couldn't stop Jayson Tatum, who scored 40 points, attempted a career-high 22 free throws and hit a game-winning buzzer-beater.
The Nets' offense hasn't helped their defense. They're averaging 18.0 turnovers per game, the fifth-most in the NBA.
“[We've worked on] a little bit of everything,” Fernandez said. “It was a constant issue with our shot selection and our turnovers [against the Pacers]. It's been a common issue in our first three games. Both ends of the floor are connected. Your offense can help your defense, but your offense can also hurt your defense, and vice versa. And I think right now our poor shots [are hurting us]. Missed layups go the other way, and poor shots are poor floor balance… And you guys know about the turnovers; it's pretty self-explanatory. But I think that those are things that we all have to understand. Then there are other things about contesting shots and hard contesting shots. We've had a little different issue game by game. It's only three games, so it's not like you can make a lot of assumptions.”
Through four games, the Nets rank 23rd in offensive rating (107.3), 24th in defensive rating (116.7) and 25th in net rating (-8.9). Their schedule isn't getting any easier, with matchups against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks upcoming.