Ouch. The Brooklyn Nets returned home to begin their home schedule in 2025. Unfortunately for them and the fans who made the trip to Barclays Center, things got off to a rocky start. The Philadelphia 76ers dominated the home team and took a 29-point win.

Tonight’s opponent has had a tough time this season. After a surprising win in the Eastern Conference last season, the Indiana Pacers have struggled for most of this season. Luckily, the East has been underwhelming this season, so they are still in the playoff race. They beat the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night and are solidly in the play-in race.

Where can you watch the game?

YES network on TV. WFAN on the radio. Tip after 7:30 p.m.

Injuries

No Trendan Watford, Bojan Bogdanovic or Maxwell Lewis. Cam Johnson is dealing with an ankle sprain and missed Saturday’s game. He will miss at least two more games before being re-evaluated. Cam Thomas will be out for a while as his hamstring injury has re-aggravated. D’Angelo Russell left Saturday’s game with a shin injury. He is questionable. Ben Simmons was late on Saturday due to a calf problem. He is questionable.

James Wiseman is out for the season due to a torn left Achilles tendon. Isaiah Jackson is out for the season with a torn right Achilles tendon. Aaron Nesmith is out with a left ankle sprain.

The game

Brooklyn won the first meeting in December. The teams complete the series in March.

So I’m not sure what to think of Myles Turner. A big guy who shoots the best from 3-point range in his career, can score in the post and is a good rebounder? This sounds like a player everyone would want on their team. However, it just feels that way something missing from Myles. I can’t say exactly.

In the meantime, Turner will look after Nic Claxton. Clax had a tough night against Joel Embiid and wants to put together a better outcome. The 76ers won the points in the paint and for Claxton, he has to send the Pacers’ bigs and guards back as far as possible.

It’s good to see Ziaire Williams again. He’s back after missing a month with an ankle injury. He filled the stat sheet in his two games and will do his best to make up for Cam Johnson’s absence. He will have time to defend Bennedict Mathurin. Mathurin has gotten better with each league season and is a building block for the Pacers’ future. For Williams, he needs to give the Nets a boost of energy so they can keep up with the suddenly improved Pacers.

Player to Watch: Tyrese Haliburton

Catching up on a career year is never easy. Combine that with the entry into force of a brand new maximum contract and the pressure becomes even greater. This is the life Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with as he tries to get back to an All-NBA level. Little by little he started to find his way back. In his last two games, he made 11 three-pointers, had 23 assists and had no turnovers. When he plays like this, Indiana’s offense resembles the outstanding unit it was for most of last season. I need to read more about it, but it feels like Haliburton has been on the ball a little more than usual this season. It will be interesting to see how Rick Carlisle uses his franchise point guard as the season progresses.

Who will score the point for the Nets? That’s the question Jordi Fernandez has to ask himself to find out whether Russell is limited or out entirely. New Net Reece Beekman figures provide plenty of playtime. As Fernandez said after the game:

“Since he started college, his ability to create turnovers and then deflections and put pressure on the ball has been very pronounced. I really liked the way he keeps his chest in front of the ball and I’m definitely a big fan of putting pressure on the ball. That’s how you win a lot of NBA games, you score points off turnovers and convert possessions, so I’m happy with the way he played.”

The opportunities are there for Nets players. It’s up to them to make the most of it.

From the safe

Later this evening, WWE officially makes the move to Netflix with Monday Night Raw! There are so many matches and all-time moments in the show’s history, so let’s round up four!

Read more: Basketball, She Wrote and SB Nation NBA