The Brooklyn Nets played their fifth and final game of Las Vegas Summer League on Friday evening. So even die-hardiest of Nets fans likely had something better to do than view auditions for the last available two-way contract or maybe a training camp invite which this year includes a ticket to China!
After all, none of Brooklyn’s top-flight rookies, nor Drew Timme and Tyson Etienne, were playing...
The following players are OUT for tonight’s Nets Summer League finale: Egor Demin Nolan Traore Ben Saraf
ADDanny Wolf Drew Timme Tyson Etienne
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) July 18, 2025
With the opposing Philadelphia 76ers also running out their C-team, meaning no V.J. Edgecombe, the most intriguing participants were Brooklyn’s bigs, 6’11” Grant Nelson and 6’10” Tyrese Samuel.
With one two-way contract currently up for grabs (Tyson Etienne and Tosan Evbuomwan hold the other two), Nelson and Samuel are strong candidates to get another look heading into training camp.
Nelson, a 23-year-old has a camp invite already. He finished his college career at the University of Alabama, got off to a strong start on Friday, attacking the rim repeatedly including this monster flush...
Grant Nelson that is a *big* dunk: pic.twitter.com/suOq9mFRHY
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) July 18, 2025
Tyrese Samuel, slightly older at 25, spent last season with the G League’s Valley Suns. He was not to be outdone. After posting solid performances in low minutes in Brooklyn’s last two games, Samuel blocked a shot and scored nine points in the first quarter on perfect shooting, including a smooth-looking 3-pointer...
Tyrese Samuel hits a three, up to five quick points as he presumably battles for that last two-way: pic.twitter.com/bZrEtilura
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) July 18, 2025
Nelson would finish with 11 points, four boards, and two dimes in 24 minutes, while Samuel posted 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and a block in 29 minutes.
Tosan Evbuomwan, who had missed previous LVSL contests with injury, did not have such luck. Once again doing a bit too much primary ball-handling as a result of roster constraints, he bricked his way to six points on 2-14 shooting. Will it affect his two-way status? Probably not. But it wasn’t fun to watch.
As for the game itself, the Nets held a double-digit lead early, clicking on all cylinders until the Sixers deployed a 3-2 zone that truly made the game unwatchable. Turnovers, missed 3-pointers to cap stagnant possessions. At least Nelson switched capably onto guards while Samuel showcased real strength and coordination inside. But hopefully, you just caught the highlights.
A stagnant second half saw Sixers lay siege to and eventually take the lead, pumping it up to double digits on more than one occasion. Philly’s zone continued to stiff arm Brooklyn’s offense which lacked the shooting and passing prowess to stretch and tear it.
Brooklyn didn’t retake control until around the three minute mark of the final period after Grant Nelson cashed three one way and Quincy Olivari did the other, finishing and-one to put the Nets up a digit with just over three to go.
Pretty pass from Tosan. More of this please. pic.twitter.com/b5LUGEXIrd
— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) July 18, 2025
But the comeback effort ended there, as did the summer league two of Brooklyn’s ball handlers. Olivari exited a few sequences after his lead-taking bucket with an apparent injury. As the 76ers climbed back in front, earning a handful of trips to the line, Caleb Daniels also went down with a knee injury, leaving on a wheelchair.
Olivari finished the night with 18 points, two rebounds, and an assist, while Daniels tacked on five points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. It was the 76ers, however, who held on to win, taking this final contest by an 87-83 score.
But perhaps the most entertaining part of the evening was Egor Dëmin’s cameo on the NBA TV broadcast. If nothing else, the Russian rookie is going to be a great quote...
Egor Dëmin: "I think I might spend more time in the lifting room than on the court ... I'm super aware of myself and what I need to get better at. I'm living in the lifting room. I'm not getting upset because I know how much I'm putting into this. It's just a question of time." pic.twitter.com/KQMK0E6DdE
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) July 18, 2025
He also shouted out Brooklyn food scene. Mind you, not American Brooklyn food, but Brooklyn’s restaurants which serve Russian cuisine.
"Food is amazing. I love Brooklyn for that. I can find anything in Brooklyn ... in Brighton Beach it's full of Russian Restaurants."
— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) July 18, 2025
What American food do you like?
"Well, what is American food. All respect, what is American food?"
- Egor Dëmin
Can’t say I blame the kid — but he should try Bark Barbecue in Dumbo and get back to us.
Next Up
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Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty ImagesRest and relaxation. We’ll be writing through it all, but no Nets basketball for quite some time. Enjoy it.
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