Jordi Fernandez reveals the change that fueled Brooklyn’s turnaround after a historically poor start

The The Brooklyn Nets pulled off the most shocking turnaround in the NBA at the beginning of this season. A defensive revival has been at the center of their success. After posting a league-worst 128.5 defensive rating during an 0-7 start, the Nets have the NBA’s best defensive rating (105.4) in December while posting a 7-4 record.

After Cam Thomas injured his hamstring during Brooklyn’s eighth game of the season, the team inserted Noah Clowney into their starting lineup. Jordi Fernandez pointed to that change when asked about his team’s sudden defensive success.

“I think positional size matters. The change to bring Noah (into the starting lineup) and slide (Michael Porter Jr.) into the three, really changed everything,” Fernandez said Monday. “But the most important thing is that everybody bought into what the coaches tried to do. It’s just the little things. Because we did the defensive circles and all the drills… The players put in the work, and then you can see it on the field. So it’s a cool process to go through. Obviously, we didn’t start well at all. And like I always said and I meant it, it was the way I thought it was. and the purpose with which these guys worked was great.”

Jordi Fernandez on the key to the Nets’ defensive turnaround:

“I think position size matters. The change to bring Noah (into the starting lineup) and move Mike to the three, that really changed everything.” pic.twitter.com/ftv0OpK9n2

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) December 29, 2025

After replacing Thomas (6-foot-3) with Clowney (6-foot-9), the Nets boast one of the NBA’s largest starting lineups.

A heightened defense is fueling the Nets’ dramatic turnaround as the team nears the playoffs

Brooklyn’s starting unit of Egor Demin, Terrance Mann, Porter Jr., Clowney and Nic Clackton averages 6-foot-9 with an average wingspan of seven feet. The length and mobility of the group constantly interferes with opposing offenses on the perimeter and at the rim.

The Nets held opponents to 55.0 percent shooting at the rim in December, according to Synergy Sports. That mark would be second in the NBA for the entire season.

“You have to give the coaches a lot of credit. We’re just talking, we’re figuring things out as a group, coaches and players. And then obviously we go out there and perform at a high level,” Nick Claxton said Saturday after Brooklyn’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. “A lot of defense is just effort, and we work hard. We put in the time in practice, and our work shows. And man, it’s fun to guard like this. It’s fun to make stops. I know myself, I take a lot of pride in defense. We had a little slip, and I was like, ‘Let’s go. Let’s get back on track.” So we just have to keep building and see where we can take it.”

After their recent hot streak, the Nets are just three games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. After a a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, they face another tough test when they host the Houston Rockets on Thursday.