NBA Game Preview: Washington Wizards (14-36) vs. Brooklyn Nets (13-37)

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The Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, two of the Eastern Conference’s struggling teams, face off in a matinee matchup that could highlight young talent amid significant injuries for the visitors. Both squads are near the bottom of the standings, with the Wizards sitting 13th in the East and the Nets 14th. This game represents a potential opportunity for the Nets to snap a three-game home losing streak, while the Wizards aim to build on recent wins despite a depleted roster.

Venue Location

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY. This is a home game for the Nets.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT).

Injury Report

The Wizards are dealing with a lengthy injury list, including key veterans acquired in recent trades, which could force them to rely heavily on rookies and bench players. The Nets appear relatively healthy, with minimal reports of absences.

Washington Wizards Injuries:

PlayerStatusInjury Details
Anthony DavisOutFinger/hand ligament damage; also groin injury. Expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season to recover fully.
Trae YoungOutRight knee MCL sprain; quad contusion. Will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
Dante ExumOutKnee injury; out for the season.
Tre JohnsonOutAnkle.
Bilal CoulibalyQuestionableLower back soreness.
Alex SarrQuestionableAnkle.
Kyshawn GeorgeQuestionableKnee.
D’Angelo RussellDay-to-DayIllness.

Brooklyn Nets Injuries:

PlayerStatusInjury Details
TBD (One player listed)Questionable/OutSpecific details not available in reports, but the Nets have only one player on the injury list, suggesting a mostly healthy roster.

Player Matchups to Watch

With the Wizards missing stars like Trae Young and Anthony Davis, this game could spotlight emerging young talent against the Nets’ more established core. Brooklyn’s strategy focuses on rebuilding with cap space in mind, while Washington leans on recent acquisitions (though sidelined) and youth.

  • Alex Sarr (WAS, if available) vs. Nic Claxton (BKN): Sarr, a rookie big man, could face a tough defensive test from Claxton (12.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 58.1% FG). Sarr’s ankle issue makes this matchup uncertain, but if he plays, it’s a battle of athleticism in the paint.
  • Will Riley (WAS) vs. Michael Porter Jr. (BKN): Riley has been hot lately (20 PTS in the last game), stepping up as a scorer. He’ll need to contain Porter Jr. (25.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 47.4% FG, 38.7% 3PT), Brooklyn’s top offensive threat.
  • Justin Champagnie (WAS) vs. Day’Ron Sharpe (BKN): Champagnie (recently grabbing 7 REB) could match up with Sharpe (8.1 PPG, 1.1 SPG, 60.8% FG), testing rebounding and interior defense.
  • Other Notes: Nets’ Noah Clowney (12.7 PPG) and Egor Demin (10.9 PPG) could exploit Washington’s thin frontcourt. Wizards’ rookies like Nolan Traore and Egor Demin (wait, Demin is on Nets? Wait, per , Nets starters include Demin) – cross-matchups between young wings could be fun.

Recent Team Forms

Both teams are in poor form, but the Wizards have shown slight improvement.

Washington Wizards (4-6 in last 10 games, averaging 111.1 PPG, allowing 117.0 PPG):

DateOpponentResultScore
Feb 5@ DETW126-117
Feb 1vs SACW116-112
Jan 30@ LALL111-142 (per similar patterns)
Jan 28vs NYKL101-132
Jan 22vs DENL97-107

Brooklyn Nets (1-9 in last 10 games, averaging 99.6-100.0 PPG, allowing 118.7 PPG):

DateOpponentResultScore
Feb 5@ ORLL98-118
Feb 3vs LALL109-125
Feb 1@ DETL77-130
Jan 18@ CHIL102-124
Jan 2@ WASL99-119 (head-to-head)

The Nets have lost 10 of their last 11 overall.

Series History

The Wizards and Nets have split recent meetings, with Washington holding a slight edge all-time (111-101).

In the last five head-to-head games (from Nets’ perspective):

DateLocationResultScore
Jan 2, 2026@ WASL99-119
Nov 16, 2025@ WASW129-106
Mar 29, 2025@ WASW115-112
Feb 24, 2025@ WASL99-107
Dec 29, 2024vs WASW113-112

Wizards have won 3 of the last 5.

Betting Trends

  • Nets 23-26-1 (24-26-0 in some); Wizards 22-28 ATS. Nets 1-10 SU in last 11; Wizards 5-2 ATS in last 7.
  • O/U Trends: Nets games hit over in 22/50 (44%); recent games often go over (e.g., 3 of Nets’ last 5).

Game Odds

Washington Wizards      218.5

Brooklyn Nets                   – 5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 6, 2026