The old saying goes, “A win is a win.” However, some wins are uglier than others, and the Brooklyn Nets' 102-94 victory over the Washington Wizards Sunday would go in the “ugliest” category.

The shorthanded Nets shot 37-of-98 (37.8 percent) from the field and 12-of-49 (24.5 percent) from three while committing 18 turnovers. However, the Wizards shot worse in both categories and committed four turnovers in the final 2:30, gifting Brooklyn a win.

Here are three key takeaways from a rock fight in Brooklyn.

Nets avoid another major injury

The Nets have been plagued by injuries in each of the last three seasons. It has been more of the same two weeks into the 2023-24 campaign. Brooklyn lost Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson for extended periods after the first game of the year. When both returned, Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons were sidelined, leaving a massive hole in terms of ball-handling and shot creation.

An inauspicious start nearly became a nightmare when Lonnie Walker exited in the second quarter Sunday after falling awkwardly on his knee. The minimum-signing has been among the most productive bench players in the league this season, averaging 16.8 points on 54/46/77 shooting splits while playing just 22.4 minutes per game.

After the play, Walker remained down for an extended period and walked gingerly to the locker room.

However, the 24-year-old returned in the second half and contributed five points in the third quarter, to the relief of the already shorthanded Nets.

Nic Claxton impactful in return

Claxton's multi-week absence after suffering an ankle sprain in Brooklyn's season-opener presented a major blow to the team's much-anticipated defense. Without him, the Nets ranked 23rd in defensive rating entering the Wizards matchup while predominately employing small-ball lineups.

“I think our defense has struggled because of Nic's not being there for us,” head coach Jacque Vaughn said pregame. “His ability to guard multiple positions, change defenses, to be in drop coverage to be in man-to-man coverage, to protect the rim. He's a force that when a small turns the corner, at least he sees a bigger dude at the rim instead of seeing Dorian (Finney-Smith) or Royce (O'Neale), dudes who have taken that position and tried to do the best job.”

Claxton didn't take long to impose his will upon returning. The 24-year-old was an instant plus offensively Sunday, posting 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. More importantly, he finished with a game-high 13 rebounds and four blocks, the last of which came in the final minute to halt a Washington comeback.

Claxton emerged as one of the NBA's top defenders in 2022-23, tying Jaren Jackson Jr. for the league lead in stocks (steals + blocks) with 254 and finishing 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. His reintegration as a perimeter defender and shot blocker will go a long way as the Nets attempt to build a defensive identity with their new-look roster in 2023-24.

Brooklyn's lead offensive trio struggles again

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Nets Jordi Fernandez next to Juwan Howard

Erik Slater ·

Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray appearing at an airport with bags packed and a plane ticket in hand

Fabian Diego Miguel de la Paz ·

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez

Erik Slater ·

With Simmons and Thomas sidelined, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and Spencer Dinwiddie have taken on the role of Brooklyn's primary offensive creators. The trio struggled during Friday's loss at Boston and could not gain an offensive rhythm against Washington.

Bridges scored a game-high 27 points but converted just 11 of a career-high 29 field goal attempts. The 27-year-old has been unable to find his stroke from three early this season. That was the case again Sunday, with Bridges shooting 2-of-14 from deep, dropping his season percentage to a career-low 26.9 percent.

Despite his early struggles, the Nets utilized Bridges as their primary ball-handler for most of the fourth quarter. He delivered when it counted, scoring six points in the final 2:30, including a tough isolation fadeaway with 1:30 remaining to give Brooklyn control of the game.

Johnson scored 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the field and 2-of-11 from three. Sunday marked the 6-foot-8 forward's second game back after an eight-game absence due to a calf injury.

Dinwiddie scored 13 points on 3-of-10 shooting while continuing to play an off-ball role. The veteran ranked fifth in the NBA in assists after joining Brooklyn at last year's trade deadline. Despite his experience and the team's glaring need for ball handling with Simmons and Thomas sidelined, Dinwiddie was largely uninvolved late in the game Sunday as Bridges dominated the team's offensive responsibilities.