The Brooklyn Nets have begun their 2026-27 campaign, gathering for media day with a fresh source of motivation from across the Barclays Center hall. Their WNBA co-tenants, the New York Liberty, just pulled off a historic first-round playoff upset as an 8-seed.
The Liberty's 87-71 Game 2 victory over the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx wasn't just a series win. It marked the first time an 8-seed has eliminated a 1-seed in WNBA playoff history. That kind of defiance of expectations is exactly the energy the Nets want to harness. While the Liberty are a recent champion from two seasons ago, their underdog triumph provides a tangible blueprint for shocking the league.
Nets players like Julius Randle have openly spoken about hoping to shock the NBA world this year. Seeing another team in their own building achieve a monumental playoff win makes that goal feel more immediate. The Liberty's success story transitions directly into the start of the Nets' preseason schedule.
The final weeks of the 2025-26 season were a struggle for Brooklyn.
This inconsistent run cemented a position near the bottom of the standings, a place the franchise is determined to leave behind.
With training camp now underway, the focus shifts to building a new identity. Head coach and his staff are tasked with integrating players and establishing a system that can compete nightly in the Eastern Conference. The preseason games, which tip off in a matter of days, will be the first real test.
These exhibitions are critical for evaluating rotations, defensive schemes, and offensive flow. Fans eager to track the team's progress can look ahead to a run of games listed on our schedule page. The goal is to translate the inspiration from the Liberty's playoff grit into tangible on-court improvements. Exceeding the low external expectations is now the collective mission in Brooklyn.
And the process starts now. The energy from media day needs to carry onto the practice floor and into those preseason contests. Building momentum from day one is essential for a team looking to change its narrative. The Liberty showed what's possible with belief and execution, and the Nets intend to follow that lead.
