The 2001-02 New Jersey Nets marked a turning point in franchise history, achieving their most successful season to date. Under the guidance of head coach Byron Scott, the team finished with a 52-30 record, securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The transformative offseason acquisition of Jason Kidd proved pivotal, as he elevated the team’s performance with his leadership and playmaking abilities.
In the playoffs, the Nets defeated the Indiana Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and Boston Celtics to claim their first Eastern Conference title, earning a spot in the NBA Finals. Despite their impressive run, the Nets were swept 4-0 by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. Nonetheless, this season laid the foundation for the team’s future success and significantly raised its profile in the league. The Nets’ performance signaled a new era, establishing them as a formidable force in the early 2000s NBA landscape.
- Regular Season Record: 52-30
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-1, Eastern Conference Finals: 4-2, NBA Finals: 0-4
New Jersey Nets Roster and Stats for 2001-02 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Kenyon Martin | 73 | 14.9 | 5.3 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 22.4 | 20 | 16.8 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 22.2 |
| Keith Van Horn | 81 | 14.8 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 34.5 | 20 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 44.0 |
| Jason Kidd | 82 | 14.7 | 7.3 | 9.9 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 32.1 | 20 | 19.5 | 8.2 | 9.1 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 18.9 |
| Kerry Kittles | 82 | 13.4 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 40.5 | 20 | 12.1 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 26.5 |
| Todd MacCulloch | 62 | 9.7 | 6.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 20 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| Richard Jefferson | 79 | 9.4 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 23.2 | 20 | 6.9 | 4.6 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Lucious Harris | 74 | 9.1 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 37.3 | 20 | 8.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 36.4 |
| Aaron Williams | 82 | 7.2 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 20 | 6.5 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Jason Collins | 77 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 50.0 | 17 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Derrick Dial | 25 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Anthony Johnson | 34 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 19 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 10.0 |
| Brian Scalabrine | 28 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 30.0 | 6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Brandon Armstrong | 35 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 29.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Donny Marshall | 20 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Reggie Slater | 4 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Goodrich | 9 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
New Jersey Nets in the 2002 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. New Jersey Nets
In the first round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs, the New Jersey Nets, led by Jason Kidd, swept the Indiana Pacers in a thrilling five-game series. The decisive Game 5 was marked by an intense double-overtime showdown, where Kidd's leadership and clutch performance propelled the Nets to a 120-109 victory, cementing their status as a rising powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. This victory set the stage for the Nets' eventual run to the NBA Finals that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 89-83 | |
| Apr 22, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 95-79 | |
| Apr 26, 2002 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 85-84 | |
| Apr 30, 2002 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 97-74 | |
| May 02, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 120-109 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. New Jersey Nets
In the second round of the 2002 NBA Playoffs, the New Jersey Nets faced the Charlotte Hornets, showcasing their emerging dominance in the Eastern Conference. Led by the dynamic play of Jason Kidd, the Nets won the series in five games, utilizing a combination of speed and defensive tenacity that epitomized their playing style. This victory propelled them to their first Eastern Conference Finals, marking a significant milestone in the franchise's history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-93 | |
| May 07, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 102-88 | |
| May 09, 2002 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 115-97 | |
| May 12, 2002 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 89-79 | |
| May 15, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 103-95 |
2002 Conference Championship vs. New Jersey Nets
In the 2002 NBA Playoffs, the New Jersey Nets reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced the Boston Celtics. Led by the dynamic play of Jason Kidd, the Nets showcased their resilience by overcoming a 2-1 series deficit to win in six games. This victory secured their first-ever trip to the NBA Finals, marking a significant milestone in the franchise's history.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-97 | |
| May 21, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 93-86 | |
| May 25, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | L 94-90 | |
| May 27, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | W 94-92 | |
| May 29, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 103-92 | |
| May 31, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | W 96-88 |
2002 NBA Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 2002 NBA Finals, the New Jersey Nets, led by star point guard Jason Kidd, made their first-ever appearance on the grand stage, showcasing a fast-paced, team-oriented style of play. Despite their efforts and a strong Eastern Conference performance, the Nets were overpowered by the experienced Los Angeles Lakers, who swept the series 4-0, securing their third consecutive championship. The series highlighted the gap between the emerging Nets and the dominant Lakers dynasty of the early 2000s.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 05, 2002 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 99-94 | |
| Jun 07, 2002 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-83 | |
| Jun 09, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 106-103 | |
| Jun 12, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 113-107 |
New Jersey Nets 2001-02 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2001-02 season for the New Jersey Nets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 103-97 | |
| Oct 31, 2001 | @ Boston Celtics | W 95-92 | |
| Nov 02, 2001 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 102-88 | |
| Nov 03, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 95-85 | |
| Nov 08, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-94 | |
| Nov 10, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 87-84 | |
| Nov 13, 2001 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 91-82 | |
| Nov 16, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 109-83 | |
| Nov 17, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 94-82 | |
| Nov 19, 2001 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 99-96 | |
| Nov 21, 2001 | @ Utah Jazz | W 90-89 | |
| Nov 22, 2001 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 95-90 | |
| Nov 24, 2001 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 98-97 | |
| Nov 25, 2001 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 101-85 | |
| Nov 27, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 100-68 | |
| Dec 01, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 105-98 | |
| Dec 05, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-87 | |
| Dec 07, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 96-84 | |
| Dec 08, 2001 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 95-79 | |
| Dec 11, 2001 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 107-93 | |
| Dec 14, 2001 | @ Miami Heat | W 95-86 | |
| Dec 16, 2001 | @ New York Knicks | W 114-96 | |
| Dec 19, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 117-112 | |
| Dec 21, 2001 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 100-94 | |
| Dec 22, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 104-90 | |
| Dec 26, 2001 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 91-89 | |
| Dec 27, 2001 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 88-75 | |
| Dec 29, 2001 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 98-93 | |
| Dec 31, 2001 | @ Washington Wizards | L 98-76 | |
| Jan 02, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 92-74 | |
| Jan 04, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 109-96 | |
| Jan 05, 2002 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 89-80 | |
| Jan 08, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-95 | |
| Jan 10, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-89 | |
| Jan 12, 2002 | @ Orlando Magic | W 91-85 | |
| Jan 14, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-97 | |
| Jan 16, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 111-67 | |
| Jan 18, 2002 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 89-77 | |
| Jan 19, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 99-90 | |
| Jan 21, 2002 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 113-105 | |
| Jan 22, 2002 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 92-86 | |
| Jan 24, 2002 | @ Houston Rockets | W 103-98 | |
| Jan 26, 2002 | @ Miami Heat | L 90-77 | |
| Jan 31, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 125-100 | |
| Feb 02, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 98-91 | |
| Feb 04, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 117-83 | |
| Feb 06, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 112-100 | |
| Feb 12, 2002 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 105-103 | |
| Feb 14, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 85-80 | |
| Feb 15, 2002 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-81 | |
| Feb 17, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 98-77 | |
| Feb 19, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 123-115 | |
| Feb 21, 2002 | @ Washington Wizards | W 93-82 | |
| Feb 22, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 115-93 | |
| Feb 24, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 95-93 | |
| Feb 27, 2002 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 104-85 | |
| Mar 01, 2002 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 110-102 | |
| Mar 03, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 92-84 | |
| Mar 05, 2002 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-92 | |
| Mar 06, 2002 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 89-87 | |
| Mar 08, 2002 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 82-73 | |
| Mar 09, 2002 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 96-90 | |
| Mar 12, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 86-84 | |
| Mar 13, 2002 | @ Boston Celtics | L 97-89 | |
| Mar 15, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-78 | |
| Mar 17, 2002 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 87-76 | |
| Mar 19, 2002 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 100-97 | |
| Mar 20, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 97-82 | |
| Mar 22, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-84 | |
| Mar 24, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 116-102 | |
| Mar 26, 2002 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 103-77 | |
| Mar 27, 2002 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 88-80 | |
| Mar 30, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 102-92 | |
| Mar 31, 2002 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 86-85 | |
| Apr 03, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 94-92 | |
| Apr 05, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 110-85 | |
| Apr 07, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 102-90 | |
| Apr 09, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 101-88 | |
| Apr 11, 2002 | @ Orlando Magic | W 101-99 | |
| Apr 14, 2002 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 101-82 | |
| Apr 16, 2002 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 103-98 | |
| Apr 17, 2002 | @ New York Knicks | W 99-94 |