Nets waste big Michael Porter Jr. effort, fall to Suns in chippy affair

The Nets wasted a career night by Michael Porter Jr. and a late lead with a minute to play.

And when it was over, they had fallen 106-102 to Phoenix before 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night.

Porter poured in 36 points on 15-for-24 shooting, and 6-for-10 from deep. But the Nets squandered his huge effort, and what looked like a great endgame.

Michael Porter Jr. who scored a game-high 36 points, drives on Mark Williams during the Nets’ 106-102 loss to the Suns on Jan. 27, 2026 in Phoenix. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After a 16-2 fourth-quarter run, the Nets had a 102-100 lead with 1:52 to play on free throws by Ziaire Williams.

But they couldn’t hold it, giving up the final six points and blowing a chance at a huge road win.

In a testy game, it included a scuffle that broke out after Williams dove on a loose ball and chaos ensued.

With Brooklyn down 104-102 with 1:14 left, Williams dove for the ball and Dillon Brooks tried to pry the ball from him or tie him up.

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Egor Dëmin pushed Brooks, who had picked up a technical earlier in the night for tossing him to the ground. Phoenix’s Royce O’Neale came in and pushed Dëmin, and Terance Mann — who had suffered a flagrant foul earlier — got into it with O’Neale.

Williams got hurt on the play and had to be helped off the court.

In the end, Allen gave the Suns four-point lead. Porter missed a late jumper, and the Nets lost both Williams and the game.

The Nets have lost six straight and are now just a game out of a top three spot in the lottery race.