The Brooklyn Nets’ 92-100 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday night was filled with frustrations, both on the court and off. As if the defeat wasn’t enough, a series of incidents added to the drama, making for a heated night at the Amway Center.
The game was already slipping away from the Nets, with the scoreboard reading 96-86 in favor of Orlando with just 2:19 left in the game. Brooklyn’s Jalen Wilson had just attempted a shot when controversy struck. The referees did not call a violation, and the Nets’ frustration began to boil over. Head coach Jordi Fernandez was visibly upset and directed his displeasure at the officials, arguing that the situation had been mishandled.
However, things escalated when Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze stepped into the mix. Bitadze pointed at the scoreboard in a mocking gesture. The action infuriated Fernandez, who quickly engaged in a heated argument with the Magic players. What had started as a coach’s frustration over a no-call now turned into a full-blown exchange.
Before Fernandez’s outburst, the Nets were already facing turmoil on the court. Nic Claxton, who had been involved in a physical exchange earlier in the game, found himself in hot water late in the fourth quarter.
Claxton appeared to strike Orlando’s Franz Wagner in the face while attempting a foul. The referees did not hesitate, ruling it a flagrant foul 2, which resulted in Claxton’s ejection from the game.
Brooklyn Nets Coach Jordi Fernandez Reacts To Controversial Referee Calls After Loss To Magic
Following the Nets’ 100-92 loss to the Magic, head coach Jordi Fernandez opened up about his frustrations with the officiating. Despite the loss and the tensions that arose during the game, the coach shared the team’s determination to persevere.
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“The game is judged by three people, and then we all have to go with it. There was a lot of frustration from myself and the players. We’re gonna keep fighting whether it’s against five or more,” Fernandez said.
The loss dropped the Nets to a 9-12 record, placing them in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. With little time to dwell on the defeat, Brooklyn will look to bounce back as they travel to Chicago next. The Nets and Bulls are scheduled to square off on Monday.
