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Nets' 2021 Playoff Heartbreak Echoes in Rebuild
21 Apr
Summary
- Nets' 2021 playoff run ended agonizingly in Game 7 overtime.
- Kevin Durant's near-game-winner in Game 7 haunts franchise.
- Post-2021 draft misses and big three issues derailed the team.

The Brooklyn Nets' 2021 playoff campaign, a period of high expectations, ultimately culminated in a devastating Game 7 overtime defeat.
Kevin Durant's potentially series-clinching shot in that critical Game 7 overtime is a moment that continues to resonate with the franchise's history.
Following the 2021 postseason, the team faced significant setbacks, including missed draft opportunities and internal discord among their star players.
These challenges compounded, leading to trades of key players and a subsequent period of rebuilding.
As of April 21, 2026, the Nets are still navigating the fallout from that era, working towards future competitiveness with new leadership and draft capital.
Recent developments include contract extensions for Fernández and his staff, underscoring a commitment to the ongoing rebuild.
The team's lack of first-round picks in upcoming drafts, such as 2027, presents ongoing challenges.