Once again, the Brooklyn Nets *almost* did it.

They *almost* beat the New York Knicks and Mikal Bridges, just like they *almost* beat the Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Just when it looked like the Nets were on the verge of their second straight loss, their patented Brooklyn grit resurfaced.

Jordi Fernandez’s team outscored the Knicks 40-24 in the final quarter, erasing a 21-point deficit and regaining the lead thanks to a 3-point basket from Dennis Schröder.

Unfortunately, Jalen Brunson immediately matched Schröder’s heroics, handing the Nets their fifth loss this season by five points or less.

Despite the feeling of déjà vu, Fernandez remained satisfied with his team’s efforts after the match.

“Losing hurts and it hurts all of us. But there we showed our identity and no one can take that away from us – no one,” he said via Zach Braziller from the New York Post. “The fight we just had, it’s something we have to appreciate.”

Given Brooklyn’s situation, the cliché “there are no moral victories” does not apply. The Nets were ready and well-coached, but lost on a game-winning bomb from one of the best players in the league.

Three months ago, many would have predicted the cross-town game would end in a blowout, but Brooklyn made sure that didn’t happen.

“Now losing the match, you go to the locker room, and no one is happy about losing a match, and I’m the first one,” Fernandez continued. “I want to win every game and we will fight to win.

“But at the same time, if you see how we work every day and what we’re trying to build and how today, I’m proud of my guys.”

Fortunately, Fernandez and the Nets get a second chance on short notice. Brooklyn returns to Madison Square Garden on Sunday for a rematch against New York at 7 p.m. EST.

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