What an NBA game is — in its essence — no longer seems to apply to the Brooklyn Nets. Rather than an opportunity to get a win, build up their record, and please their fans, contests for them just feel like hurdles to clear to closer to the finish line of this hellish season.
Rather than glory, they’re a team chasing relief.
Even a date across the river with the “rivaled” New York Knicks was of this nature. With a win, Brooklyn would have earned an extra day or two before their mathematically elimination from the Play-In a week or two from now rather than any real momentum or bragging rights.