Nets discard Antetokounmpo and the Bucks and secure their first win of the Fernandez era

With an impressive 115-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Brooklyn Nets finally made it into the win column for the first time in the 2024-25 season. Despite a hard-fought affair for much of the contest, a fourth-quarter explosion sealed the victory.

Head coach Jordi Fernandez fielded the same starting lineup as before, and the defense looked significantly improved compared to Brooklyn's first two appearances. Aside from a few tricky referee fouls, Ben Simmons and Dorian Finney-Smith did a good job guarding the Milwaukee frontcourt. Active hands from the Nets' wing defenders forced six Bucks turnovers, leading to easy transition throws.

Nic Claxton, still on a one-minute suspension, came off the bench and provided an immediate boost to Brooklyn's offense. A highlight-reel coast-to-coast finish from the $100 million star gave the Nets a six-point lead, but an eight-point quarter from Damian Lillard gave them a 27-25 lead at the end of the first stanza Brooklyn.

The second quarter witnessed this. Milwaukee committed another four turnovers, sparking a 10-0 run powered by back-to-back three-pointers from Dennis Schröder. The Nets clearly made it a point to take advantage of virtually every opportunity presented to them, using steals and missed shots to create quick break opportunities and attempting to wear down the Bucks' defense.

Even though the defense had improved significantly, rebounding was still a problem. The Nets had seven rebounds, including nine thanks to Antetokoumnp, but that wasn't reflected on the scoreboard. Despite another five points from Lillard, Brooklyn managed to maintain a three-point lead at the halftime buzzer.

The Nets' defensive rotations continued to look great in the third quarter. Their stifling performance, coupled with Schröder's 22 points in 24 minutes, prevented Milwaukee from threatening Brooklyn's lead.

Unlike previous matchups, the Bucks big man didn't hurt the Nets from within. It was the exact opposite when Brook Lopez scored several tries from deep in his home game at Barclays Center. The ability of Schröder and Cam Thomas to put the ball in the basket and get to the charity stripe gave Brooklyn a five-point lead heading into the fourth period.

Milwaukee completely disintegrated in the final quarter. The Nets' lead increased to 22 as Schröder and Thomas continued to dismantle the Bucks' defense without Khris Middleton. The floodgates opened after an apparent foul by Pat Connaughton on Schröder, sending the veteran point guard to the line and increasing Brooklyn's lead to 11.

The Nets completed their first win of the season and the Fernandez era with the substitutes on the field and successfully defended their home game against one of the league's top teams.

Brooklyn will play its second straight home game against reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on October 29th at 7:30 p.m. EST.

To access the final box score from the Brooklyn Nets win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Click here.

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