Brooklyn Nets’ Winless Start Exposes Deep Struggles on Both Ends

The Brooklyn Nets entered the season with low expectations, but few predicted their start would be this bleak. Through six games, Brooklyn remains winless, looking disorganized and disengaged on both ends of the court. Their latest setback — a 129–105 blowout loss to the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers — underscored a troubling pattern of poor defense, careless turnovers, and waning energy.

Head coach Jordi Fernandez, in his first year leading the team, did not hide his frustration after Sunday’s defeat. His comments were candid and self-critical, acknowledging that he has struggled to inspire consistent effort from his players. “I’m failing at trying to get my guys to play hard,” Fernandez admitted postgame. “The effort is not there, and the defense is not there. How many games is it gonna take? It’s six now.”

Brooklyn’s problems go beyond the scoreboard. They currently rank 23rd in offensive efficiency and last in defense by a considerable margin. Despite lineup changes — including benching rookie point guard Ben Saraf in favor of Tyrese Martin — the adjustments did little to spark improvement.

With fans already restless and the locker room searching for direction, Fernandez faces the difficult task of establishing accountability and restoring intensity before the season spirals further out of control.

1. Lack of Energy and Focus Defines Nets’ Woes

The most glaring issue for Brooklyn has been its lack of effort and cohesion. Fernandez pointed to the team’s energy — or lack thereof — as the root of nearly every problem. “It’s everything,” he said. “From the lack of attention to the body language. That all goes with energy.” Even after shuffling the rotation, the Nets looked lifeless against a 76ers team missing stars Joel Embiid and Paul George. Philadelphia shot 57% in the first half, racking up 73 points and 17 assists while committing just five turnovers. Kelly Oubre Jr. torched Brooklyn for 22 points in the opening quarter alone, exploiting defensive breakdowns and slow rotations. Fernandez acknowledged that developing “winning habits” takes time but stressed that the current level of performance is unacceptable. “Right now, we don’t have them,” he said. “We’re very far from that. We’re actually on the other side.” The Nets’ defense — once anchored by effort and communication — now looks disjointed and reactive. With both rookies and veterans struggling to maintain focus, Fernandez’s biggest challenge may be finding the emotional spark that has been missing since opening night.

2. Players Shoulder Blame as Leadership Tested

While Fernandez accepted responsibility for his team’s sluggish start, several players were quick to share the burden. Center Nic Claxton said it was on the roster, not the coaching staff, to correct the lack of urgency. “At the end of the day, he’s not the one who’s going out there and having to play defense,” Claxton said. “We just have to lock in on the schemes and look ourselves in the mirror. It’s the ‘want-to’ at the end of the day.” The numbers tell the story of a team adrift. Against Philadelphia, Brooklyn shot just 43.3% from the field and 18.4% from beyond the arc while turning the ball over 18 times. The offensive stagnation was evident again, with Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas combining for a 6-of-21 shooting performance through three quarters before adding meaningless points in garbage time. Despite Fernandez’s rotational tweaks, the bench provided little relief. The team’s younger players, including Egor Demin and Saraf, saw reduced minutes, suggesting that the coaching staff is struggling to balance development with competitiveness. Veteran forward Terance Mann echoed Claxton’s sentiment that the defensive lapses have become habitual. “After every game, we say the same thing — our defensive presence,” Mann said. “If we don’t figure it out and have the willingness to do it, it’s just gonna be the same results.”

3. Searching for Identity Amid a Potentially Lost Season

The Nets’ struggles are not entirely surprising given their rebuilding direction, but the lack of visible effort has amplified concerns about team morale. Brooklyn was expected to focus on developing young talent and securing future draft assets, yet the team’s on-court chemistry has been alarmingly poor. With no established stars and a new head coach trying to instill a culture, patience will be key — though fans and players alike are growing restless. Fernandez’s commitment to accountability and structure will be tested as the team looks for its first win. Still, the season is young, and a single victory could provide the spark needed to reset expectations. The upcoming stretch of games offers Brooklyn a chance to regain its footing, provided the roster can rediscover its competitive drive. Whether the Nets are simply enduring early growing pains or slipping into a full-season malaise may depend on how quickly Fernandez and his players can reconnect their effort to their identity. For now, the answers remain elusive.