The Brooklyn Nets (10-22) began 2026 with a loss to the Houston Rockets that could be somewhat excused because of how many players the Nets were missing for the matchup. Brooklyn had the same issue heading into Friday's game at the Washington Wizards (9-24) and it looks like the Nets have to figure out how to make up for their starters being out.

Justin Champagnie scored a season-high 20 points and the Washington Wizards continued their recent improvement with a 119-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.

In a clash sure to have lottery ramifications, the shorthanded Nets lost 119-99 to Washington on Friday before a crowd of 16,486 at Capital One Arena. After having won seven of 10, Brooklyn (10-22) has gone cold and dropped three straight.

Preview the Brooklyn Nets' NBA matchup with Washington, including live stream, TV channel, odds, and game information.

The Nets will be without three of their top players against the Wizards on Friday as they battle for position in the draft lottery standings.

The Nets’ skid stretched to three games Friday night, as a shorthanded Brooklyn team fell to the Washington Wizards.

2026 is here and the Brooklyn Nets are looking to get back in the winner’s circle. They were shorthanded in last night’s matchup against the Houston Rockets and old friend Kevin Durant, and predictably got demolished by 24 points. It was their worst loss in a while, but fortunately they’re right back on the court so they can wash that L away.

The Wizards made easy work of the depleted Nets behind Justin Champagnie's 20 points on Friday, and Brian Keefe's vision is coming to life.

What the Washington Wizards did against the Brooklyn Nets to open up 2026 felt like a statement. What should have been a tight battle between two of the younges