The 2004-05 New Jersey Nets faced a challenging NBA season, finishing with a 42-40 record. The team was significantly impacted by the departure of star forward Kenyon Martin and the mid-season trade of Alonzo Mourning. Jason Kidd, recovering from off-season knee surgery, returned to lead the team, and Richard Jefferson emerged as a key player until sidelined by an injury.
Mid-season, the Nets acquired Vince Carter in a trade with the Toronto Raptors, providing a much-needed boost. Carter’s arrival reinvigorated the team, helping them secure the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite their efforts, the Nets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat in a four-game sweep. The season highlighted the team’s resilience and set the stage for future rebuilding around its core players.
- Regular Season Record: 42-40
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-4
New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats for 2004-05 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Vince Carter | 57 | 27.5 | 5.9 | 4.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 42.5 | 4 | 26.8 | 8.5 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 31.6 |
| Richard Jefferson | 33 | 22.2 | 7.3 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 33.7 | 4 | 15.8 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 20.0 |
| Jason Kidd | 66 | 14.4 | 7.4 | 8.3 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 36.0 | 4 | 17.3 | 9.0 | 7.3 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 36.7 |
| Eric Williams | 21 | 12.6 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 42.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Alonzo Mourning | 18 | 10.4 | 7.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Nenad Krstić | 75 | 10.0 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 4 | 18.3 | 7.5 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Ron Mercer | 18 | 7.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rodney Buford | 64 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 31.5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Travis Best | 76 | 6.8 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 30.6 | 4 | 6.8 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 11.1 |
| Jason Collins | 80 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 33.3 | 4 | 2.8 | 6.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Brian Scalabrine | 54 | 6.3 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 32.4 | 4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 25.0 |
| Clifford Robinson | 29 | 6.0 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 37.9 | 4 | 7.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 28.6 |
| Jacque Vaughn | 71 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Zoran Planinić | 43 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 37.5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jabari Smith | 45 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 50.0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Billy Thomas | 25 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 30.4 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Donnell Harvey | 3 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Aaron Williams | 19 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kaniel Dickens | 11 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jérôme Moïso | 8 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Awvee Storey | 9 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Elden Campbell | 10 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
New Jersey Nets in the 2005 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Miami Heat
In the 2005 NBA Playoffs, the New Jersey Nets faced a tough challenge in the first round against the Miami Heat. Despite a strong effort, the Nets were swept in four games by the Heat, who were led by the dominant duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade. The series highlighted the Nets' struggles to contain Miami's offense, ultimately ending their playoff run early.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2005 | @ Miami Heat | L 116-98 | |
| Apr 26, 2005 | @ Miami Heat | L 104-87 | |
| Apr 28, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 108-105 | |
| May 01, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 110-97 |
New Jersey Nets 2004-05 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2004-05 season for the New Jersey Nets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 100-77 | |
| Nov 05, 2004 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 111-106 | |
| Nov 06, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 112-80 | |
| Nov 09, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 64-60 | |
| Nov 10, 2004 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 108-100 | |
| Nov 13, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 94-78 | |
| Nov 15, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 80-69 | |
| Nov 17, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 79-68 | |
| Nov 20, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 97-86 | |
| Nov 23, 2004 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 90-88 | |
| Nov 25, 2004 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 101-88 | |
| Nov 26, 2004 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-79 | |
| Nov 28, 2004 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 83-71 | |
| Nov 30, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-86 | |
| Dec 01, 2004 | @ Washington Wizards | L 95-68 | |
| Dec 04, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 109-88 | |
| Dec 06, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 88-86 | |
| Dec 07, 2004 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 103-97 | |
| Dec 10, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 94-91 | |
| Dec 11, 2004 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 95-90 | |
| Dec 14, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 87-79 | |
| Dec 17, 2004 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L 89-84 | |
| Dec 19, 2004 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 110-99 | |
| Dec 21, 2004 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 94-91 | |
| Dec 22, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 92-90 | |
| Dec 27, 2004 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-90 | |
| Dec 28, 2004 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 84-80 | |
| Dec 30, 2004 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 96-83 | |
| Jan 01, 2005 | @ New York Knicks | W 93-87 | |
| Jan 04, 2005 | @ Washington Wizards | L 112-88 | |
| Jan 05, 2005 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 97-74 | |
| Jan 07, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 82-72 | |
| Jan 08, 2005 | @ Orlando Magic | L 104-101 | |
| Jan 11, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 89-80 | |
| Jan 13, 2005 | @ Houston Rockets | L 94-85 | |
| Jan 15, 2005 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 98-93 | |
| Jan 17, 2005 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 85-84 | |
| Jan 19, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 96-90 | |
| Jan 21, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-98 | |
| Jan 23, 2005 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 113-105 | |
| Jan 25, 2005 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 113-93 | |
| Jan 26, 2005 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 113-99 | |
| Jan 28, 2005 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 109-103 | |
| Jan 29, 2005 | @ Utah Jazz | W 99-82 | |
| Feb 01, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-97 | |
| Feb 02, 2005 | @ Boston Celtics | L 110-89 | |
| Feb 05, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-85 | |
| Feb 07, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-97 | |
| Feb 09, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 104-103 | |
| Feb 11, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 101-91 | |
| Feb 13, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 94-79 | |
| Feb 15, 2005 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 82-71 | |
| Feb 16, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 96-85 | |
| Feb 22, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 100-82 | |
| Feb 23, 2005 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 100-81 | |
| Feb 25, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 93-86 | |
| Feb 27, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-98 | |
| Mar 02, 2005 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 99-93 | |
| Mar 03, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 106-90 | |
| Mar 05, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-81 | |
| Mar 08, 2005 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 90-74 | |
| Mar 09, 2005 | @ New Orleans Hornets | W 86-85 | |
| Mar 12, 2005 | @ Miami Heat | L 90-65 | |
| Mar 13, 2005 | @ Orlando Magic | W 98-82 | |
| Mar 16, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 100-84 | |
| Mar 18, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 94-80 | |
| Mar 20, 2005 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 94-85 | |
| Mar 22, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 98-91 | |
| Mar 24, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-96 | |
| Mar 26, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 96-75 | |
| Mar 28, 2005 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 95-91 | |
| Mar 30, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 95-78 | |
| Apr 01, 2005 | @ New York Knicks | W 93-91 | |
| Apr 02, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 103-102 | |
| Apr 05, 2005 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-80 | |
| Apr 07, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 110-98 | |
| Apr 09, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-86 | |
| Apr 13, 2005 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 90-86 | |
| Apr 15, 2005 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 101-90 | |
| Apr 17, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-83 | |
| Apr 19, 2005 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 109-101 | |
| Apr 20, 2005 | @ Boston Celtics | W 102-93 |