Nets Stun 76ers to Deliver Early Christmas Gift
PHILADELPHIA – The final game before the Christmas break often serves as a character test for NBA teams. It is easy to look ahead to the holidays, check out early, and let the result fall where it may. But on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center, the Brooklyn Nets (8-19) refused to mail it in. Instead, they delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, grinding out a 114-106 victory over the division-rival Philadelphia 76ers.
Fresh off a suffocating defensive showing against Toronto, Brooklyn arrived in the City of Brotherly Love looking to prove that their recent grit was no fluke. They succeeded, dismantling the 76ers’ high-powered offense and heading into the holiday break with tangible momentum.
From the opening tip, the disparity in energy was palpable. While the 16-11 Sixers looked like a squad ready for vacation, the Nets played with a desperate hunger. They dominated the “hustle stats,” diving for loose balls and winning the 50/50 possessions that often decide tight road games.
The offense found its rhythm early behind the hot hand of Michael Porter Jr., who torched Philadelphia for 25 points in the first half alone. But as the game tightened down the stretch, it was the rookie poise of Egor Demin that made the difference, sinking clutch late three-pointers to stave off any Philadelphia comeback attempts.
Yet, the unsung hero of the night was undoubtedly Day’Ron Sharpe. With starter Nic Claxton plagued by foul trouble, Sharpe stepped into the void and stabilized the paint. The box score—nine points, 11 rebounds, and six assists—hardly captures his impact. Whether it was facilitating from the high post or battling on the glass, Sharpe was a force, finishing with a team-best +16 in his 21 minutes on the floor.
The most encouraging sign for Brooklyn wasn’t just the win, but how they won. For the second consecutive game, the Nets’ defense completely erased an opposing star. Just days after bottling up Scottie Barnes, Brooklyn’s defensive scheme put Tyrese Maxey in a straitjacket.
Maxey, entering the contest averaging nearly 32 points per game, was harassed into a nightmare performance. The Nets held the explosive guard to just 13 points on a dismal 3-of-14 shooting. By cutting off the head of the snake, Brooklyn forced the Sixers’ offense to crumble, proving that this defensive unit is finding a legitimate identity even amidst a rebuilding season.
“Brooklyn played like a team that wanted to keep playing a consistent brand of winning basketball.”
The sentiment around the team is clear: despite the 8-19 record, the culture is shifting. While Philadelphia looked for the exit, Brooklyn looked for the fight, a distinction that bodes well for the locker room’s morale heading into 2026.
This wasn’t just a road win; it was a statement of intent. The Nets proved they can win with physicality and defense against a playoff-caliber opponent. If they can bottle this defensive intensity and the balanced offensive production from Porter Jr. and Sharpe, they might just be a team nobody wants to play in the New Year.
