The Brooklyn Nets finally broke their 0-5 start to the 2026-27 NBA season, securing a hard-fought 98-90 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. The win marks a crucial turning point for a squad that had previously squandered several winnable opportunities, allowing them to improve their record to 1-5. Facing a vulnerable Indiana team missing key contributors Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac, Brooklyn capitalized on the opportunity to stabilize their early-season struggles and establish a baseline for competitiveness.
Jordi Fernandez praises team resilience as Brooklyn grinds out first victory of the season
Head coach Jordi Fernandez highlighted the collective energy and defensive cohesion that defined the performance, noting that the team maintained its identity despite shooting difficulties. “I really liked the energy of everybody on the team, on the bench, the guys on the floor,” Fernandez said. “We took good shots and they were not falling and a lot of times, the anxiety hits.” Fernandez emphasized that the Nets’ ability to stay together through the first three quarters was the defining factor, even though they conceded a one-point margin in the fourth quarter.
The victory serves as a mental reset for Brooklyn as they prepare for an upcoming matchup against the New York Knicks. Fernandez expressed a preference for this type of grind-it-out win, stating, “I’d rather take a win like this that you have to grind all the way because that just makes you better.” By converting a difficult back-to-back scenario into a positive result, the Nets have demonstrated the resilience required to navigate a challenging schedule, setting a more optimistic tone for the remainder of their early-season slate.
Source: Yahoo Sports
