In the first of a five game road trip, the Brooklyn Nets dropped their fourth straight, in a 124-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

  • Los Angeles Lakers (4-5)
  • Brooklyn Nets (3-6)
  • Staples Center: Los Angeles, California
  • NBA, Final Box Score

Former Brooklyn big man player Brook Lopez reminded the team of his star potential in the Lakers routing of the Nets Friday evening. He poured in 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against his former team.

Guard D’Angelo Russell failed to accomplish such a ‘revenge game,’ scoring 17 points on 8-24 shooting from the field. He tallied 7 assists and 7 rebounds, but collected 4 turnovers along the way.

The newest Lakers’ prodigy, Lonzo Ball, had a rough go at it. It comes as no surprise, as the rookie hasn’t put together Rookie of the Year worthy highlights in his first nine games. Ball scored 6 points on an abysmal 3-15 shooting from the field.

Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tied his season-high of 21 points, and guard Allen Crabbe provided a boost off the bench with a team-high 25 points.

Defense was the story of the loss, as has been the case for nearly every one this season.

On playing in Staples Center wearing a Nets uniform, Russell told The New York Post it was certainly different.

“It was different. Yeah it was different. But you go out there and play the first five minutes or whatever first time out and you get over it.”

The Nets biggest flaw is what most would consider the Lakers’ strength, defense. Russell isn’t worried, but knows it’s an issue.

“They played great team defense. We weren’t making shots. We just have to be better. We have to just get in the lab. We’ve got to get our confidence back right going into the next game. I think we’ll be all right.”

Back in June after Russell was traded, President of Operations Magic Johnson went on record saying he ‘needed a leader‘. For the Nets point guard, his focus remains on what he can change and only that.

“I’d say (Johnson’s criticism) ruffled a few feathers. But you control what you can control. He’s in a position to say what he wants … I just try to take the high route on that, and control what I can control in situations like that.”

The Nets and Lakers will meet up again come February 3rd, in Brooklyn. With nearly an entire season in between, expect the next matchup to have a different outcome.


Next, the Brooklyn Nets will continue on their five game road trip, to the Talking Stick Resort Arena.

They play the Phoenix Suns on Monday, November 6th. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM EST.