Nets Seek First Win After 0-4 Start

On October 29, Brooklyn was the NBA’s only winless team in the Eastern Conference, at 0-4 after losing to Boston on Tuesday. The Nets came close to their first victory in that game, but late-game mistakes proved costly.

Brooklyn’s next opportunity is Friday at Barclays Center against Detroit. The Nets then face road games against Indiana and the Knicks. Six of their next eight games are away from home, adding pressure to end the skid soon.

The team is trying to change course after opening last season with seven straight losses. This time, Brooklyn does not hold its first-round pick: it belongs to Houston as part of the James Harden trade. Players said they want to turn their competitive performance against Boston into a win and build momentum from there.

Michael Porter Jr. said the roster’s new players need time to develop chemistry, while coach Jordi Fernández pointed to late-game execution as the difference against Boston. Fernández said he wants the team to maintain its effort without becoming anxious about the record.

Brooklyn’s early losses leave it behind in the standings, though the Nets were still only one loss behind the team in 10th place in the East. The team’s postseason hopes depend on translating close games into victories.