Nets coach Fernandez explains choice of Mikel Brown Jr. vs. Hawks

In Brooklyn's 124-121 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on November 8, 2026, head coach Jordi Fernandez opted to finish the game with rookie Mikel Brown Jr. instead of Nolan Traore. Fernandez praised Brown for scoring five straight points during a critical stretch, which influenced his decision. Despite Traore's strong overall performance with 19 points, Fernandez noted Brown's effective late-game contributions, as he scored 13 points in the fourth quarter. The coach acknowledged the difficulty of managing both players' minutes, indicating a strategy of alternating their roles. Brooklyn now seeks to learn from this recent matchup as the season progresses.

• 6:58 PMYahoo Sports — Nets' Jordi Fernandez explains Mikel Brown Jr. decision in Hawks loss