The Nets suffer the worst loss in franchise history in a 59-point loss to the Clippers

On By Littum

LOS ANGELES – The Nets’ loss on Wednesday went from awful to historic.

Brooklyn may have been on the court, but it never really showed up, taking a 126-67 loss at the hands of the Clippers at the Intuit Dome.

It was the lopsided route in Nets history and the biggest win in Clippers history. It was 10th-worst in all-time NBA annals, and will surely be one of the most humbling in recent memory, even by the standards of a tanking team.

Left to right: Reece Beekman, Tosan Evbuomwan and Tyrese Martin look dejected during the Nets’ 126-67 loss to the Clippers on Jan. 15, 2025. It was the worst loss in the history of the Brooklyn franchise. NBAE via Getty Images

The Nets trailed by a paltry 64 points with 5 ¹/₂ minutes to play. They ended up shooting 30.5 percent and were 5-for-27 from 3-point range.

Only a late push got them past their franchise-record low of 62 points against the Cavaliers on January 28, 1997.

It was only fitting that the YES Network crew would fill the time and the discussion turned to the 1,400 restrooms at the Intuit Dome. The dad jokes write themselves.

The previous worst blowout in franchise history had been by 52 points at the hands of Houston on October 18, 1978, when they were the New Jersey Nets. The Clippers almost ran them back to Jersey on Wednesday night.

Last year’s 50-point humiliation in Boston was the last game before the All-Star break and proved to be the last of Jacque Vaughn’s Brooklyn tenure.

Jordi Fernandez wears a blank expression on the sideline during the Nets’ blowout loss to the Clippers. NBAE via Getty Images

While rookie head coach Jordi Fernandez has done an exemplary job of getting this shorthanded rebuilding team to play hard, it was embarrassing.

After briefly taking a 25-24 lead early in the second quarter, Brooklyn lost touch and never fought back. They let the Clippers go on an extended 66-13 run to trail 90-38 with five minutes left in the third quarter. The only drama in the fourth was just seeing how historically-bad this beating would be.

The Nets played without Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons.

On the flip side, it was the biggest win in Clippers franchise history.

Kawhi Leonard had 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting and was a career-high plus-46 despite logging just 24 minutes. It was more than enough.

Tosan Evbuomwan struggles for a shot as Terance Mann defends during the Nets’ loss to the Clippers. AP

Former Net star James Harden dominated his former team with 21 points and 11 assists. He had six assists in the first half — as many as Brooklyn had as a team.

Harden had broken up Brooklyn’s Big 3 when he demanded a trade to Philadelphia.

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving followed suit a year later. And after an ill-fated season trying to contend behind Mikal Bridges, the Nets have begun this rebuilding path.