As December begins, the Brooklyn Nets are looking to turn their season around with 11 games on the schedule throughout the month, starting with a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets tonight. With a disappointing 3-16 record, the Nets find themselves near the bottom of the league standings, ahead of only the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans.
The upcoming month presents the Nets with the potential to capture their first home victory, as seven of their 11 games will take place at the Barclays Center. This initial game against the Hornets, who have a record of 6-14, will be crucial; the two teams last faced each other during the season opener, where Brooklyn lost by a significant margin.
Following the Hornets, the Nets will engage in December’s only back-to-back matchups, facing off against the Chicago Bulls on December 3 and the Utah Jazz on December 4. Both opponents are also struggling, giving the Nets a chance to compete more effectively. On December 6, they will battle the New Orleans Pelicans, the current worst team in the Western Conference, before taking a brief break from action until December 12.
After their break, Brooklyn has a challenging road game against the Dallas Mavericks, followed by a three-game home stretch featuring the Milwaukee Bucks (December 14), Miami Heat (December 18), and Toronto Raptors (December 21). The month concludes with games against the Philadelphia 76ers (December 23) and Minnesota Timberwolves (December 27) away, and then they will face off with the Golden State Warriors at home on December 29. This relatively lighter schedule is essential, as January will be packed with 17 games.
Despite currently enduring a four-game losing streak, the Nets have managed to keep opponents under 120 points in their recent contests, indicating some defensive stability. The month of December might offer more chances for offensive breakthroughs, particularly as they solidify their tanking strategy while aiming for a top draft pick in 2026.
A key player to watch this month is rookie Danny Wolf. Having participated in only five games this season, Wolf stepped up recently, especially in the absence of star player Michael Porter Jr., and showcased his skills with a standout game where he scored 22 points and recorded four rebounds and assists against the Bucks. With Porter Jr. expected to return to the lineup, it remains uncertain whether Wolf will maintain his spot in the rotation, but he has certainly made a case for himself.
Looking ahead, December predictions suggest a potential record of 3-8 as the Nets aim to capitalize on some favorable matchups and rediscover their competitive edge. With a commitment to growth and improvement, Brooklyn has the opportunity to shift the momentum in their favor this month.