Nets – with new coach, low expectations – Open Magic Home Schedule

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic (1-0) welcome the Brooklyn Nets (0-1) to the Kia Center on Friday night for the Magic’s first home game of the 2024-25 NBA season. Launch is at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Orlando defeated the Heat on Wednesday night in Miami with a 33-pointer from Paolo Banchero and a monster third quarter for a resounding 116-97 victory.

Brooklyn lost its season opener 120-116 on Wednesday night in Atlanta. Cam Thomas had 36 points for the Nets.

Nic Claxton received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter after a clothesline hit on Dyson Daniels. It is not yet known whether Claxton will be suspended because of the action.

Key Returnees (2023–24 Stats)

Important additions

Important departures

Brooklyn is led by first-year head coach Jordi Fernández, who also serves as Team Canada’s head coach. This season is all about the future for the Nets. Brooklyn dealt Mikal Bridges to the crosstown Knicks this offseason and received a lucrative trade in return.

The 41-year-old Fernández has been selected to coach the next era of Brooklyn basketball, which is expected to begin next summer when the Nets can capitalize on this all-important draft capital. The proper way to put this season into context is to first understand that it’s not about how high the Nets are this year, but rather how the lottery favors them compared to other teams , vying for some of the best talent available next year.

As for the on-field product this year, Brooklyn’s offense will feature a high-volume shot diet from Cam Thomas, who is capable of knocking down buckets at the drop of a hat. His prolific scoring prowess will be severely tested by the Magic’s perimeter defense.

Claxton is a rim protector by trade and will be Wendell Carter Jr.’s opponent. Brooklyn’s new $100 million center is one of the most promising players on this young Nets team that is primed for the future.

Ben Simmons only played 15 games for the Nets last season, but he’s back on the floor this year and hopes to find some resemblance to the player he was when he was healthy.

Thomas and Claxton are the players Brooklyn wants for a while, and they will steer the ship on the field no matter how long this rebuild takes for the Nets. With that in mind, they brought Atlanta to the brink on Wednesday night at the Hawks’ home stadium, and Orlando will need to stay focused on the task at hand to avoid slipping up after their emphatic first win of the year.

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