After so much optimism to start the season, the Brooklyn Nets now stand on the verge of elimination in Round 1.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were held to under 20 points for Game 3 and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 62 points in the Celtics’ 109-103 win.
In a 3-game hole now, the Nets’ season is likely over and fans aren’t letting them go quietly. On Twitter, the franchise and its two biggest stars heard it from the community.
y’all ‘best player in the world’ had 1 shot attempt in the 4th quarter of a must-win game pic.twitter.com/STdNSF6d7U
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) April 24, 2022
Nobody wanted to play the Nets. The Celtics have them on the verge of a first-round sweep.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 24, 2022
That Kyrie pack smoking fantastic rn pic.twitter.com/6xrHvDxdmQ
— 🔱 Ya girl favorite GD🔱 (@Donflamingo74) April 24, 2022
“KYRIE FOR THREE” pic.twitter.com/223vSmsRA8
— Jared (@CinnamonJared) April 24, 2022
“Celtics getting swept” yeah aight brah pic.twitter.com/lpGGRGF4Fj
— jeezy (@sheluvsjeezy) April 24, 2022
Nets fans were talking all this shit just to be down 3-0 to the Celtics 💀
— 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 (@AbdulCarterMVP) April 24, 2022
CELTICS HUMILIATE KYRIE YET AGAIN! GET THE BROOMS READY! #celtsin4 pic.twitter.com/apdWttsC2g
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 24, 2022
KD and Kyrie in the Nets locker room after the Celtics went up 3-0 pic.twitter.com/R9tsOlZJ1r
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) April 24, 2022
KD when he isn’t playing on the 73-9 warriors #KevinDurant #Bosvsbkn pic.twitter.com/utzgmcL0CQ
— Rahul Dave (@therealLilJuju7) April 24, 2022
dont worry Ben Simmons will save them.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 24, 2022
Waking up after they lied to you and convinced you that you were better than Lebron pic.twitter.com/cPt1hB7PXn
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) April 24, 2022
Boston winning this series lol…I remember LeBron used to destroy this same team and lineup… crazy..
— Cash (@CashNasty) April 24, 2022
2019 Brooklyn Nets led by D’Angelo Russell was a beautiful team with great chemistry and culture .. I don’t know what the 2022 Nets are.
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) April 24, 2022
Needless to say, this isn’t how the Nets imagined their season would end. From being a top-seeded team in the East with Durant, Irving, and Harden, to being on the verge of elimination in the very first round of the playoffs, this marks the second straight year that Brooklyn failed to meet expectations.
Some, like Charles Barkley, saw it coming even before Game 1.
“There’s no way they can beat the Celtics,” said Barkley. “They [the Nets] got two great players and they both probably played as good as they can play. Kevin Durant was fabulous with his passing and his defense. Kyrie was great. Other than that, I know they can’t beat the Celtics now. All these fools on these other morning talk shows can let this ship sail. Both of those guys played great and they barely beat a mediocre Cavs team.”
To make matters worse, there’s no guarantee the Nets will keep their star duo past this season. Reports indicate that Brooklyn could lose KD if Irving decides not to extend his contract in the summer.
In any case, the series isn’t over yet. While it is true that no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, it’s not wise to count the Nets out completely, especially with the return of Ben Simmons looming.
The path ahead will not be easy, but there is still a chance for redemption. Until then, the Nets will continue to be treated like one of the league’s most disappointing teams.
