Nets player grades: Day'Ron Sharpe drops 14 in 119-99 loss at Wizards

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The Brooklyn Nets (10-22) began 2026 with a loss to the Houston Rockets that could be somewhat excused because of how many players the Nets were missing for the matchup. Brooklyn had the same issue heading into Friday's game at the Washington Wizards (9-24) and it looks like the Nets have to figure out how to make up for their starters being out.

The Nets lost to the Wizards 119-99 after Brooklyn couldn't keep up with Washington, especially in the first and third quarters. Center Day'Ron Sharpe drew his first start of the season in place of starter Nic Claxton and he dropped 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks while veteran Terance Mann had 14 points and two assists for one of his better games recently.

Brooklyn had plenty of issues scoring the ball without Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas in the lineup, but the defensive end of the floor was a letdown for them. Justin Champagnie led the Wizards in scoring with 20 points off the bench, but he was also one of six players that scored in double figures for Washington. Here are the Nets player grades following Friday's loss to the Wizards:

Egor Demin: B-

Demin came back into the lineup after missing Thursday's loss to the Houston Rockets due to lower back soreness, but the rest didn't help his shot as he had trouble making his three-pointers. Demin couldn't get where he wanted to on the floor, at least in terms of his sweet spots, but he did a good job of rebounding and being active on the defensive end of the floor.

Terance Mann: B

Mann has mostly been in the background for the Nets this season as he has allowed Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas to have their way in the offense, but he made his presence felt against the Wizards. Mann took more of a role within the offense in terms of scoring and ball-handling while still providing his effort in the rebounding and on the defensive end of the floor.

Danny Wolf: C+

Wolf drew another start with the Nets dealing with injuries and he took advantage of the opportunity to make more of an impact on both ends of the floor. Wolf is still woefully cold from three-point range, but he did a much better job of finishing at the rim and rebounding, but Brooklyn had nothing for the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back.

Noah Clowney: C-

Clowney had one of his worst games of the season as he couldn't get many of his shots to fall despite getting some solid looks from the perimeter. Clowney is usually more active in the rebounding portion of the game, but he also had trouble taking care of the basketball due to Washington's pressure on the perimeter. Clowney did a great job of being active in the defensive passing lanes, however.

Day'Ron Sharpe: A

Sharpe drew his first start of the season with Nic Claxton missing this game due to personal reasons and he made the most of the extended minutes that he received. Sharpe was efficient shooting the ball near the rim despite having to play against Alex Sarr for the majority of the game while also rebounding and playing defense on the perimeter and at the rim.

Jalen Wilson: D

Wilson once again saw some extended minutes in the absence of multiple starters, but his shooting did not carry over from Thursday's loss to the Rockets. Wilson couldn't get many of his shots to go down from anywhere on the floor, but he brought his customary effort on both ends of the floor, especially on the defensive end of the floor as he tried to get in the passing lanes.

Ziaire Williams: A-

Williams didn't retain his role in the starting lineup, but he still made sure to impact the game on both ends of the floor the way he can when he's locked in. Williams did a good job of scoring the ball overall while still bringing a defensive intensity that head coach Jordi Fernandez has been wanting to see from him since the two have been working together.

Tyrese Martin: F

Martin had his minutes cut short in this one as he just couldn't buy a bucket during his time on the floor over the past few games and Fernandez decided to go elsewhere for bench production. Time will tell if Martin ever makes his way back into the rotation, but at this rate, he seems to be headed for some DNP's like he did prior to this recent bout of injuries.

Drake Powell: C+

Powell did a great job of providing scoring off the bench, especially when he was going downhill to get shots at the rim or hit one of his patented mid-range jumpers. Powell could have been more impactful on the defensive end of the floor, but his activity and tenacity on defense was still noticeable even if the stat sheet doesn't show it.

Nolan Traore: B+

Traore didn't have the cleanest game in Thursday's loss to the Rockets, but he had a better performance against the Wizards, especially when it came to his finishing around the basket. Traore's speed has been useful for him to this point of his rookie season, but the next step would be for him to look for his opportunities to get downhill within the offensive structure.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades: Day'Ron Sharpe drops 14 in 119-99 loss at Wizards

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