Nets lose 108-103; struggle with fourth-quarter leads

The Brooklyn Nets are showing growth as a young team but still struggle to win games. They have lost 18 fourth-quarter leads this season, the highest number in the league. This trend continued during their recent game against the Indiana Pacers, where they lost 108-103 despite leading for most of the game. In their previous matchup, the Nets also lost 105-99 in overtime after giving up a significant lead. D'Angelo Russell, who missed the latest game due to an ankle injury, acknowledged the team's challenges. He emphasized that they had the chances to win but failed to make key shots and lost focus. In the recent game, the Nets were ahead by 11 points but crumbled late in the match. An altercation led to Trendon Watford's ejection, which hurt the team, as he was a strong performer. His dismissal also carried a $35,000 fine imposed by the NBA. Ziaire Williams, a teammate, voiced his concerns about the situation, highlighting the need to stay composed. The Nets faced significant struggles after Watford's departure, getting outscored and committing turnovers. Coach Jordi Fernández noted their youth as a factor, with the team's average age being 24.8 years. Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic, stating that they are making progress in their first year as a rebuilding team. Several key players, including Russell and Williams, were unavailable for this game due to injuries. The team hopes to learn from these experiences and improve as the season continues.