Three takeaways from the Nets' season-opening loss to the Atlanta Hawks
Nets center Nic Claxton looks for an open teammate while guarded by Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu during the second half of an NBA game Wednesday in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Jason Allen
ATLANTA — Nic Claxton stood at his locker on Wednesday night after what should’ve been a decent season debut. Instead, he atoned for an excessive, flagrant-2 foul that saw him ejected from the Nets’ 120-116 loss to the Hawks.
“Just having more situational awareness,” said Claxton, who played 15 minutes after missing the preseason with a hamstring injury. “Maybe I need to talk to a therapist or something but I can’t get kicked out of games. Whatever I do, I can’t get kicked out of games. I need to be there for my team.”
It was a turning point for the Nets but not the only takeaway. Here's three from the scene at State Farm Arena.
1. Claxton must control his emotions
This wasn’t the first time Claxton was over-the-top with his play. He had 10 technical fouls last season and he’s struggled to keep his emotions in check whether it’s excessive celebrations or hard fouls.
That can’t happen this season. Claxton is too important to the Nets, as evidenced by how poorly they defended the paint (54 paint points) in the season opener or struggled rebounding this preseason.
One could argue Claxton was a microcosm of the Nets being too physical with 36 fouls. Just as the Nets have to balance that, Claxton must be smarter with his passion, especially as the longest tenured Net and a team leader.
2. Jalen Wilson has earned more trust
Cam Thomas’ 36 points stood out, and so did the Nets’ 19 turnovers. Beyond that, Jalen Wilson’s performance was a great start to his second season.
Wilson had 16 points off the bench and went 2-for-5 on his three-point attempts. Despite his five fouls, Wilson played aggressive and with energy.
Coach Jordi Fernandez, who praised Wilson’s conditioning, leaned on it Wednesday by playing him 34 minutes, tied for a team-high with Dennis Schroder. Wilson was the Nets’ best rookie last year and now he’s leading to be their sixth man as he looked good along with reserves Noah Clowney and Ziaire Williams.
“What you need when you come off the bench is bring it,” Fernandez said of the trio. “Change the game, win your minutes, do the little things. And I’m very happy."
3. The schedule doesn’t get easier
The Nets had chances to rally on Wednesday. After trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, they shrunk the lead to 118-116 with four seconds to play thanks to Thomas’ flurry. He scored 20 of his 36 points in the final period.
But when you give up too many points in the paint along with 46 free-throw attempts, you’re already in a deep hole.
It cost them a win, and there might not be more chances right away. Next up? At the Magic on Friday, home against the Bucks on Sunday and Nuggets on Tuesday and at the Grizzlies on Wednesday. That’s three playoff teams from last season, and the Grizzlies could’ve been one if not for key injuries.
It’s good the Nets showed fight in their first game. They’ll need it, especially being tested right away with this schedule.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
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