A rollercoaster of a season for the Nets has come to an end much earlier than many expected.
After entering the season as a favorite to win the NBA title, Brooklyn entered the postseason as a Play-In team and, once in the playoffs, was swept by Boston in the first round.
MORE: How Tatum, Celtics' defense mortalized Durant
How does a team go from title aspirations to failing to win a single game in the opening round? As you could imagine, it was a series of events that ultimately resulted in the Nets' downfall.
Here's how things got to that point.
A timeline leading to the Nets' sweep in 1st round
Aug. 6, 2021: Ahead of the 2021-22 NBA season, Kevin Durant signs a four-year, $198 million contract extension to stay in Brooklyn through 2026. With Durant signed, attention shifted to James Harden and Kyrie Irving, who would soon become extension eligible.
Sept. 27, 2021: It is confirmed that Kyrie Irving is not vaccinated for COVID-19 when he is not present in person at Nets media day. Due to New York City regulations against unvaccinated persons, Irving's status meant he would not be able to play in home games.
Via Zoom, Irving asks reporters to respect his privacy when he was asked if he expected to play at home during the 2021-22 season.
Oct. 11, 2021: After Irving is cleared to practice at the Nets' facility, head coach Steve Nash acknowledges that the guard won't be able to play in home games during the upcoming season.
Oct. 12, 2021: Nets general manager Sean Marks issues a statement saying that Irving will not play or practice with the Nets until he is eligible to be a full participant, reducing Brooklyn's star trio to a star duo.
Oct. 13, 2021: During an appearance on "The Glue Guys" podcast, The Athletic's Shams Charania says that the Nets will not offer a contract extension to Irving.
Oct. 18, 2021: The extension deadline passes without Harden reaching an agreement with the Nets.
Oct. 19, 2021: The Nets suffer a 23-point loss to the Bucks on opening night of the 2021-22 NBA season.
Following the game, Harden tells reporters "I don't plan on leaving" when asked about his choice not to sign a contract extension.
Nov. 29, 2021: Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris is ruled out for four to eight weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle.
Dec. 14, 2021: A COVID-19 outbreak impacts the Nets as Harden becomes the seventh player to enter the league's health and safety protocols.
Dec. 17, 2021: With a depleted roster, the Nets change their course, announcing that they will allow Irving to rejoin the team on a part-time basis.
Dec. 18, 2021: Irving becomes the 10th Nets player placed in the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, joining Harden and Durant.
This results in the postponement and rescheduling of multiple games.
Jan. 1, 2022: The Nets enter the new year with a 23-11 record, good for second in the Eastern Conference.
Jan. 5, 2022: Kyrie Irving makes his season debut 35 games into the schedule, scoring 22 points in a road win over the Pacers.
Jan. 12, 2022: The Nets rout the first-seeded Bulls, 138-112, issuing a reminder of how scary a trio of Durant, Harden and Irving can be.
It would be the last time the three played together.
Jan. 15, 2022: Durant suffers a sprained MCL in a win over the Pelicans and is ruled out for four to six weeks.
At the time of Durant's injury, Brooklyn is second in the East with a 27-15 record.
Jan. 26, 2022: A report from Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer surfaces, indicating that Harden would "welcome new scenery" in the 2022-23 season.
Feb. 2, 2022: The Nets suffer an 11-point road loss to the Kings — their sixth loss in a row. Harden scores four points on 2-of-11 shooting.
It was his last performance in a Nets uniform.
MORE: What led to breakup of Durant, Harden and Irving
Feb. 5, 2022: Harden is sidelined with a hamstring issue and reports surface that he is frustrated with his time in Brooklyn and would be open to a trade.
The 76ers emerge as a candidate.
Feb. 10, 2022 (NBA Trade Deadline): After days of rumors, Harden is traded to the 76ers in exchange for three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, who had not played since June 2021.
The Nets also acquire Seth Curry and Andre Drummond from Philadelphia.
MORE: Who won the Simmons-Harden trade?
Feb. 26, 2022: Simmons has yet to make his debut for the Nets, who said it was a day-to-day process.
March 3, 2022: Durant returns after a 21-game absence, but the Nets lose to the Heat, 113-107.
Brooklyn is now 32-32 and the East's eighth seed.
March 10, 2022: Still inactive, Simmons is jeered on the bench as the Nets travel to Philadelphia to earn a 29-point statement win over the Sixers.
March 16, 2022: With less than a month of regular-season action left, Simmons says he's 'hopeful' to play before the season ends.
March 21, 2022: The Nets announce that Harris, who had been out since November, undergoes a second procedure on his ankle and will be out for the remainder of the season.
Later in the day, it is revealed that Simmons is dealing with a herniated disk in his back.
March 23, 2022: It is revealed that New York City Mayor Eric Adams will soon lift the private sector COVID-19 vaccine mandate, paving the way for Irving to play in home games, with the first coming on March 27.
March 26, 2022: Irving hints that he does not intend on leaving Brooklyn, saying "there's no way I could leave my man 7 anywhere," referring to Durant and his jersey number."
MORE: Why did Kyrie Irving leave the Celtics? A timeline of the events that preceded Nets star's exit
April 10, 2022: The Nets finish the season with a 44-38 record and the East's seventh seed, meaning they would play in the Play-In Tournament.
After Jan. 15, Brooklyn goes 17-23, including an 11-game skid that began in late January.
Simmons did not suit up for a regular-season game.
April 12, 2022: The Nets defeat the Cavaliers, 115-108 in the Play-In Tournament, setting up a playoff rematch with the Celtics.
While Simmons had not played in a game during the season, reports indicated he planned on debuting in Game 4 or a potential Game 5 of the series.
MORE: NBA world rips Ben Simmons after being ruled out of Nets-Celtics Game 4: 'It's pathetic. It's sad'
April 17, 2022: The Nets lose Game 1 to the Celtics, 115-114, after Jayson Tatum's last-second layup.
April 24, 2022: With the Nets facing a 3-0 series deficit, Simmons hits another setback in his return-to-play and is downgraded to out for Game 4 after it was slated to be his debut.
April 25, 2022: The Nets are swept by the Celtics in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
