The Brooklyn Nets have been struggling to compete effectively while Michael Porter Jr. is grappling with a significant shooting slump. Over the past month, the team’s difficulties have underscored Porter’s critical role and how his off shooting rhythm severely impacts their chances of winning.
The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter, who once ranked among the NBA’s most efficient scorers, saw his performance dip sharply after being overlooked for the All-Star game. Initially, across 38 games this season, Porter averaged 25.6 points with efficient shooting splits of 48 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range, and 85 percent from the free throw line. However, his efficiency plummeted in the last seven games, with points per game dropping to 19.0 and three-point shooting sinking to just 18.2 percent (10-of-55 attempts).
The Impact of Porter’s Shooting Difficulties on Recent Nets Games
During this stretch of poor shooting, the Nets have won only once and suffered six losses, being outscored by opponents by a wide margin of 89 points. Porter reflected on his shooting slump after the team’s 123-114 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks, describing the difficulty in regaining form after missing time.
My shot hasn’t felt this off since I can remember,
Porter said.
For the last four or five games, I feel like I’ve just been off. But that’s what happens when you’re out of rhythm, and you don’t play for a while. People who aren’t basketball players don’t understand that you can really lose your timing and your touch in two or three days of not playing. So not playing [in the last two games] pre-All-Star break, then not getting in the gym much during it, I think I’m paying the price for it.
– Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets forward
Porter’s struggles were evident even before the All-Star break, when he scored 30 points total but shot just 2-of-16 from three-point range over two games versus the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. His shooting woes have extended into recent contests, affecting his confidence and effectiveness.
Examining Porter’s Three-Point Shooting Decline Amid Brooklyn’s Losing Streak
Porter’s early-season success came despite his difficult shooting schedule. He frequently attempted challenging shots, leading the NBA with 205 tightly guarded three-point attempts (within 2-4 feet of a defender) in his first 38 games—53 more than second-place James Harden and well ahead of others like Duncan Robinson. Porter managed to convert 36.1 percent of these contested attempts initially.
However, in his last seven games, his shooting from close-defended threes collapsed to 3-of-24, or 12.5 percent. His efficiency on moderately open shots (4-6 feet of space) has also been poor at 4-of-23 attempts (17.4 percent), along with 2-of-7 on wide-open threes (6+ feet of space). This significant drop-off in shooting accuracy has hampered the Nets’ offense, where young scorers like rookies Nolan Traore and Egor Demin remain the only other primary offensive creators.
Over the last nine games, Brooklyn has posted the worst offensive rating in the NBA (105.0), illustrating how Porter’s slump has handicapped the team’s scoring ability.
I don’t think teams are doing anything different. Every time he shoots the ball, I think it’s going in,
Jordi Fernandez commented on Porter’s situation.
The last couple of games, he’s done a great job finishing cuts and putting pressure on the rim. He hasn’t seen the ball go in as much, but he’s letting it fly and the shots are going to go in… Obviously, [opposing teams] put the best defender on him and sometimes multiple guys, but they were doing that before. He’s got to keep shooting, keep finishing cuts, spacing the floor and making the right plays when he sees bodies in front of him. I’m not concerned at all.
– Jordi Fernandez, Brooklyn Nets assistant coach
Potential Silver Linings of Porter’s Slump for Brooklyn’s Future
Although Porter’s shooting issues have contributed to consecutive losses, they may come with an unintended positive for the Nets’ long-term prospects. After dropping five straight games, Brooklyn has climbed into the top three of the NBA draft lottery standings. The team is tied with the Indiana Pacers in wins and trails them by only two losses, situating both teams alongside the Sacramento Kings as top contenders for the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Each of these teams holds a 14.0 percent chance at snagging the top pick and a 52.1 percent chance at being selected within the first four picks. This elevated draft position could offer Brooklyn a valuable opportunity to add key talent in the coming season.
Despite their current difficulties, Porter emphasized the importance of continuing to play hard, keep improving, and maintain focus on the bigger picture.
This is a new situation that I’ve been in, but no basketball game is meaningless. It’s all part of the journey,
Porter said.
This team, we’re not just looking at this year, we’re looking at the overall scheme and goals for the next one, two, three, four, five years. All these games matter for us in terms of growth, continuity and chemistry. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on that, but we’ve got to come in and work every day and realize it’s a bigger picture. At the end of the day, we’re playing basketball, a game we all love to play.
– Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. said he feels out of rhythm after missing games before the All-Star break and not getting in the gym during his time off:
“My shot hasn’t felt this off since I can remember. For the last four or five games, I feel like I've just been off. But that’s what… pic.twitter.com/wkAVry3I11
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) February 25, 2026
Asked Michael Porter Jr. about his mental adjustment to playing on a team out of the playoff picture during the second half of the season:
“This is a new situation that I’ve been in, but no basketball game is meaningless. It’s all part of the journey. This team, we’re not just… pic.twitter.com/RoZfICuH4z
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) February 25, 2026
