NBA basketball has come back around. We’ve got a ways to go before Opening Night, but we’ve some preseason hoops to pass the time around. The Brooklyn Nets are looking pretty different these days, but sometimes
different can be good! The Nets have a few games to iron things out before the games count starting in a few weeks.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. Tip after 8:00 p.m. ET.
Injuries
Drake Powell, Haywood Highsmith, and Egor Demin won’t be playing tonight. Powell is expected back next week when the Nets face the Suns for two games in Macao, China. Nothing that specific on Highsmith and Demin’s timeline.
The game
This is the first and only home preseason game for the Nets in Brooklyn. After this, they head to Asia for a two game mini series against the Phoenix Suns in China. Then they travel to Toronto for the preseason finale against the Toronto Raptors before Opening Night October 22 on the road in Charlotte against the Hornets.
Preseason basketball is all about learning, and for the Nets, they get a chance to see how the early returns are in training camp. For fans watching the games, here’s some helpful advice by my main man Steve Jones Jr.:
My No. 1 rule is to explore concepts and ideas. You will not see the totality of what a team is looking to do in the regular season, but if you keep your eyes open you can understand the philosophy that’s being set. By the end of the preseason, you can get a sense of which teams are closer to the drawing board than they want to be and which teams feel better about their vision.
We won’t see players like Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr play heavy minutes, but enough to at least give fans a taste as to what to expect when the regular season tips off in a few weeks.
We’ll get to see some of the rookies take on a big role tonight. Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf have had good training camps thus far and tonight will be a chance for them to apply some of their early pro lessons into a game setting for the first time as well as compete against players they’ve known for many years. It’s a special night for both of them and they’ll look to put on a show in front of the Brooklyn faithful.
The opponent tonight is Haopel Jerusalem, and they hail from Israel. They’ve been in town for a few days and have been working on the practice court that the Nets and New York Liberty use during the seasons
They’re led by former NBA player Jared Harper. Harper played three seasons in the league and was a member of the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, and New Orleans Pelicans after playing collegiately at Auburn. He’s won a bunch of awards overseas and a game like this will be an awesome opportunity for players like him to compete against some of the game’s greatest players
“During the game, yes, I think we represent the Euro Cup. I think we also kind of represent all of Europe. But I don’t think our intentions are to be like, hey, we’re better than an NBA team, or we feel like we can be better than an NBA team. We’re coming to continue to improve as a team, continue to get better. And with getting better, if we put ourselves in a position to win… Of course, we’re gonna try to win the game, but I think we have bigger goals”.
Games like these are showcase opportunities for players we aren’t too familiar with here in the United States. Going up against NBA players is always exciting and you never know if a great game can lead to future opportunities in the league. It may not count as far as official standings go, but the real life experience will last a lifetime.
Of course, some things are bigger than sports. In recent months, there have been calls to ban Israeli teams from sporting competitions and leagues due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Thus far, leagues have resisted taking action, but as the atrocities in Gaza continue unabated, so will the calls for accountability around the world. Sports can bring people together, and it can also shine a light on the injustices going on around the world.
Barclays Center has experienced its fair share of protests over the years, and there might be protests of some sort this evening. If anything happens, we’ll make sure to keep you covered as best as we can.
Player to watch: Nic Claxton
Claxton had an especially rough 2024-2025 season. He spent most of the year dealing with a back injury and often spent a lot of time frustrated on the court. A nice summer of rest and relaxation (along with the addition of a new member of the Claxton family!) has done Clax a world of good, and he’s back better than ever. Jordi Fernandez has raved about Claxton thus far and is excited to see what he can do:
“Nic has had a great summer, and he’s in a great place. I think that it tells you, like, how much he holds himself accountable to a high standard. And it’s great to hear that he feels that way. I do believe he can be way better than than he was last year and right now, since we have this relationship, I think we can even help him more.”
When Claxton is at his best, he’s an All-Defensive team caliber center. It’ll be interesting to see how he’s utilized on offense as well. Clax is very good on dribble handoff plays, and we’ll see how he fits in next to new teammates like Porter Jr, the rookies, etc.
From the Vault
It’s the WNBA Finals, and although the hometown Liberty aren’t in it this year, it doesn’t mean we can put our ones in the air for an all time performance from last year’s Finals:
Also, the New York Yankees will begin the American League Divisional Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Divisional Series has been very kind to the Bronx Bombers over the years
More reading: SB Nation NBA
- Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
