Nets fall to Suns in chippy affair despite Michael Porter Jr.'s career night

Brooklyn squanders late lead and loses 106-102 in physical game that included a scuffle

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:55pm

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The Brooklyn Nets wasted a career-high 36 points from Michael Porter Jr. and a late fourth-quarter lead, falling 106-102 to the Phoenix Suns in a chippy affair. The game featured a scuffle that broke out after Nets player Ziaire Williams dove on a loose ball, leading to a series of physical altercations between the teams. Despite Porter's big scoring night, the Nets couldn't hold on and lost their sixth straight game, falling closer to a top lottery spot.

Why it matters

The loss is a tough one for the struggling Nets, who had a chance to pick up a big road win against a top Western Conference team. Porter's performance shows he can be a dominant scorer, but the Nets' inability to close out the game raises concerns about their composure and execution in tight situations. The physical nature of the contest also highlights the intensity of the rivalry between these two teams.

The details

With the Nets leading 102-100 with 1:52 left, Ziaire Williams dove on a loose ball, leading to a scuffle that broke out. Nets player Egor Dëmin pushed Suns player Dillon Brooks, who had received a technical earlier, and Suns player Royce O'Neale then pushed Dëmin. Terance Mann, who had suffered a flagrant foul earlier, also got involved in the altercation. Williams was injured on the play and had to be helped off the court. The Suns then scored the final six points to win 106-102.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

The players

Michael Porter Jr.

A Brooklyn Nets player who scored a career-high 36 points in the loss.

Ziaire Williams

A Brooklyn Nets player who was involved in the late-game scuffle and had to be helped off the court due to injury.

Dillon Brooks

A Phoenix Suns player who received a technical foul earlier in the game and was involved in the late-game scuffle.

Royce O'Neale

A Phoenix Suns player who pushed Nets player Egor Dëmin during the late-game scuffle.

Terance Mann

A Brooklyn Nets player who was involved in the late-game scuffle after suffering a flagrant foul earlier in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must have more composure down the stretch. Letting the game get away from us like that is unacceptable.”

— Jacque Vaughn, Brooklyn Nets Head Coach

What’s next

The Nets will look to bounce back from this tough loss when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, January 31st.

The takeaway

This game highlights the Nets' struggles to close out close games, despite the heroics of Michael Porter Jr. The physical altercation also underscores the intensity of the rivalry between these two teams. The Nets will need to show more composure in tight situations if they hope to turn their season around and avoid falling further in the lottery race.