What Brooklyn Nets fans can expect for first game back at Barclays

The Brooklyn Nets will return home following an exhausting west coast road trip, most of which they had to play without superstar Kevin Durant, who’s been nursing a hamstring injury.

In arguably the best stretch any team in the NBA has enjoyed this season, however, the Nets swept the entire five-game slate — which included contests against the Clippers, Lakers and Suns — jumping up to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference when all was said and done.

As it turns out, this is quite literally the perfect time for fans to welcome Brooklyn home.

Why do we say that? Because for the first time since last March (!), the Nets will play in front of fans, albeit just 300 compared to the Barclays Center’s 19,000-seat capacity, on Tuesday night vs the Kings.

Given how fans haven’t been able to attend a Nets game for almost a full calendar year, it goes without saying that there will be an adjustment period for everybody involved. Taking that into account, let’s highlight what they can expect in their first game game back.

What can Nets fans expect in their first game back at the Barclays Center?

There’s a lot to get into here, so let’s start with the most important component: health and safety protocols. All patrons must produce a negative PCR test (administered 72 hours in advance of the game), comply with mandatory temperature checks, wear a face mask, and adhere to social distancing guidelines depending on where they’re seated.

Ticket availability has also been a major talking point among fans since it was first announced they’d be allowed back inside Barclays at a limited capacity. According to the Nets, season ticket holders and suite members will be given priority access, though regular fans itching to see a game live are encouraged to visit brooklynnets.com/reopening for the best chance to nab tickets.

Based on James Harden’s comments about the Barclays Center reopening to the public, all Nets fans should be champing at the bit to watch the team’s league-leading offense deliver the goods.

"“I can’t wait. I’m excited,” James Harden told reporters when asked about finally having the chance to play in front of a crowd. “That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to be in Brooklyn, because of the fan base. They’re unbelievable. They know the game of basketball.”“Obviously I can’t say the percent, but it’s not obviously going to be packed. But just to have some excitement, some extra energy in the crowd, it’s going to be exciting for obviously the entire team. So we can’t wait. It’s been a long road trip, a very good road trip, and now we’ve got to get home and have some fun.”"

We would all agree that food and beverage consumption is part of what makes watching a sporting event live so compelling, right? Well, there are minor changes fans pertaining to this perk that fans should be aware of heading into the game.

The Nets announced that there will be designated spaces assigned to each seating pod where fans can consume their preferred in-game treats, all of which will be delivered to patrons via individual package.

In an effort to reduce contact, mobile and remote ordering will be available and all delivery staff members will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves throughout the entire delivery process.

That pretty much sums it up, folks. Though it won’t quite offer the atmosphere of a jam-packed arena, based on how the Nets are playing, 300 fans should be more than enough to provide a home court advantage against the Kings on Tuesday night.

Given where we were as country in terms of trying to fend off the pandemic just a few months ago, this should be regarded as a massive win for fans in Brooklyn. There’s still a long way to go in the road back to normalcy, but this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

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