As the Brooklyn Nets brace for their final Emirates NBA Cup group-play contest, the focus has shifted sharply toward the team’s growing injury concerns. With the Philadelphia 76ers returning to Barclays Center on Friday night, the Nets face a pivotal matchup while still searching for their first home win of the season. The situation has placed added weight on the availability of several key players—an issue that could shape the outcome of the highly anticipated rematch.
Nets seek turnaround ahead of critical cup meeting
Brooklyn enters the contest at 3-14 and winless at home, currently sitting at 0-8 in their own building. Their latest outing, a 113-100 loss to the New York Knicks in the Battle of the Boroughs, showcased both promise and frustration.
While the Nets struggled to contain Karl-Anthony Towns, who dominated with a 37-point, 12-rebound double-double, the game also featured a breakout performance from Noah Clowney. The 6-foot-10 forward delivered a career-high 31 points and shot an impressive 7-for-13 from beyond the arc.
Despite individual flashes of brilliance, the Nets’ inability to close out games remains a season-long challenge—one that becomes even more complicated amid roster uncertainty.
76ers arrive with momentum from previous meeting
Philadelphia took the first matchup convincingly on November 2, defeating Brooklyn 129-105 at the Barclays Center. Kelly Oubre Jr. exploded with 29 points, including 22 in a red-hot first quarter, while Tyrese Maxey added 26 and Quentin Grimes contributed 22. For the Nets, Cam Thomas led the scoring effort with 29 points, a performance Brooklyn will miss this time around due to his injury status.
Although the 76ers face their own health issues—with Oubre, Joel Embiid, Paul George, VJ Edgecombe and Adem Bona among those sidelined during their recent loss to Orlando—they remain a challenging opponent, especially given Brooklyn’s ongoing home struggles.
Brooklyn Nets Injury Report: Who will miss Friday’s game
The Nets’ injury list has taken center stage ahead of Friday’s showdown. A mix of questionable and confirmed absences could significantly impact head coach Jordi Fernández’s rotation.
Here is the latest update:
Ben Saraf (Left Ankle Sprain) – Questionable
Haywood Highsmith (Right Knee Surgery Injury Recovery) – Out
Michael Porter Jr. (Lower Back Tightness) – Out
Cam Thomas (Left Hamstring Strain) – Out
What the Nets must overcome
With their home record hanging heavily over the franchise and multiple starters unavailable, Brooklyn faces an uphill battle. Yet their young talent, highlighted by Clowney’s recent rise, provides a glimmer of potential heading into the clash.