Nets lose to Bucks, boosting lottery chances

Brooklyn stays third in race to the bottom with one game left in season

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with players and the court broken down into overlapping, angular shapes and planes in a variety of colors.The Nets' loss to the Bucks keeps them in contention for a high draft pick, a key step in their rebuilding process.Memphis Today

The Brooklyn Nets lost 125-108 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, a result that will greatly enhance their lottery chances for the upcoming NBA draft. Brooklyn (20-61) remains third in the race to the bottom with just one game left in the regular season, moving 1.5 games clear of both Utah and Sacramento in the standings.

Why it matters

The Nets' loss to the Bucks, who were without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, helps Brooklyn's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the upcoming NBA lottery. With the team's disappointing season coming to an end, the focus shifts to the offseason and how the Nets can improve their roster through the draft.

The details

The Nets allowed the Bucks to shoot 55.6% from the field, with AJ Green scoring a game-high 35 points on 11-of-16 shooting from 3-point range. Cormac Ryan added 28 points for Milwaukee. Brooklyn was led by Tyson Etienne's career-high 23 points, while Malachi Smith recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists.

  • The Nets lost to the Bucks on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Brooklyn has one game left in the regular season, a matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Malachi Smith

A rookie guard for the Brooklyn Nets who had a career-high 19 points and 10 assists in the loss to the Bucks.

Tyson Etienne

A Nets guard who scored a career-high 23 points, with 15 of those coming in the first quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The superstar forward for the Milwaukee Bucks who missed his 13th straight game due to a hyperextended left knee and bruised bone, though the team is reportedly tanking.

AJ Green

A Bucks player who scored a game-high 35 points on 11-of-16 shooting from 3-point range.

Cormac Ryan

A Bucks guard who added 28 points in the win over the Nets.

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What they’re saying

“The Nets' loss to the Bucks, who were without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, helps Brooklyn's chances of securing a higher draft pick in the upcoming NBA lottery.”

— Brian Lewis, Author

What’s next

The Nets will play their final game of the regular season on Sunday, April 12, 2026 against the Toronto Raptors. This game will have implications for their draft lottery positioning.

The takeaway

The Nets' disappointing season is coming to an end, but the focus now shifts to the offseason and how the team can improve its roster through the upcoming NBA draft. The loss to the Bucks, despite Milwaukee resting its star player, was a positive result for Brooklyn's lottery chances.