Nets’ 2026-27 schedule presents challenges during pivotal season

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Nets’ 2026-27 schedule presents challenges during pivotal season

Originally posted on NBA on ClutchPoints
By Erik Slater, ClutchPoints | Last updated Aug 18, 2026 8:52 AM ET

The Brooklyn Nets will look to start stronger than in previous seasons during a pivotal 2026-27 campaign. Their schedule could once again present challenges in that pursuit.

The Nets released their schedule on Thursday, and for the second straight year, they face a difficult slate out of the gate. Seven out of Brooklyn’s first nine games come against play-in or playoff teams from last season. The other two come against the Indiana Pacers, who project to be one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams following Tyrese Haliburton’s return and Ivica Zubac’s arrival.

Brooklyn will open the season at home against the Hornets on Oct. 21. They then have a six-game slate that features the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Pacers (2x) before another matchup with the Hornets and a meeting with the Atlanta Hawks.

Brooklyn opened last season’s tanking campaign 1-11 en route to a 20-62 finish. The rebuilding squad made upgrades to the roster this season without control of its 2027 first-round pick.

The Nets traded for Julius Randle and signed Keon Ellis and Moe Wagner in free agency. They also drafted their most talented guard prospect in decades, selecting Mikel Brown Jr. sixth overall.

Nets facing challenging early schedule, NBA-high back-to-backs during 2026-27 campaign

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Still, the Nets’ inexperience will present challenges during their difficult early schedule. Brooklyn has an NBA-leading 11 players age 24 or younger. The team’s point guard rotation is particularly young, featuring exclusively first- and second-year players in Brown, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.

The Nets will also play 16 back-to-backs this season, tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the most in the NBA. They’ll have to get on a plane for 11 of those. Nine teams will play 15 back-to-backs, seven teams will play 13 and 12 teams will play 13.

The Nets will be on the second night of a back-to-back during three out of their four matchups with the Knicks. New York is on a 14-game winning streak against Brooklyn. The Nets’ last win over their crosstown rival came on Jan. 28, 2023.

Brooklyn’s ability to exceed expectations will hinge on Randle’s ability to perform at an All-Star level. The rebuilding squad will also need internal development from young prospects such as Egor Demin, Noah Clowney, Josh Minott, Danny Wolf, Drake Powell, Traore and Saraf.

While the Nets didn’t have success in the win/loss column during their last two tanking seasons, head coach Jordi Fernandez has shown a knack for getting the most out of his players. General Manager Sean Marks is looking forward to what Fernandez can do with a revamped roster in 2026-27.

“I think one of the things that’s really shined from Jordi and how he’s approached his first few years here has been just how honest he is with the players,” Marks said at Summer League. “Nobody ever questions, where do I stand? What are my expectations? What am I supposed to do? Jordi lets everybody know right off the get-go and owns it. And he’s honest with it, honest about himself, honest about the mistakes that he makes. I think that takes a lot. And that’s a special leader. And he’s been absolutely tremendous in these first couple of years.”

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: