Brooklyn Nets basketball is back.
Now, it may not be regular-season action or even preseason, but Nets hoops are back, nevertheless.
Today, while America’s 250th birthday is celebrated around the country, the Nets will kick off their eight-game Summer League schedule in Sacramento, squaring off against the Sacramento Kings. Brooklyn will play three games at the California Classic in Sacramento July 4, 5 and 6, then head to Las Vegas for five games between July 9 and 19.
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00
p.m. ET.
Where to Watch
Early info was that the game would only be carried on Gotham Sports Net but according to the NBA App, the possibilities include NBA TV, ESPN+, NBA League Pass and Prime.
Summer League begins!
Throughout the eight-game set, it is expected that we will see all three of Brooklyn’s freshly selected draft picks: Mikel Brown Jr., Joshua Jefferson and Tyler Bilodeau.
However, it remains unknown exactly when each will make their debut. More when we know later Saturday.
If Brown Jr. makes his debut today, it will be a fun matchup for both Nets and Kings fans, as he would be in line to face off against Darius Acuff Jr., whom the Nets passed on with the No. 6 pick before Sacramento swooped him up at No. 7, which was a polarizing decision on Nets Twitter.
Given that it’s a back-to-back-to-back beginning Saturday, there is a chance that the Nets may hold Brown Jr. out of some of the Sacramento portion. As Jordi Fernandez told reporters Wednesday, you don’t want to burn out the rookies.
“We’re not going to do anything that will put their health in danger,” said Fernández before the team headed out West. “I think that we’ve proven that over and over. We have very good medical and performance staff, and right now, I don’t envision them playing all three games, because I think it’s back-to-back-to-back.”
As for Jefferson, he won’t be eligible until Vegas, since the Randle-Claxton trade which the 28th pick, won’t be processed until Monday, too late for him to play in Sacramento.
Bilodeau, who signed a two-way contract with the team after being selected with the 43rd overall pick, is expected to be a full-go.
Three of the Nets’ five first-round picks from the 2025 class will also be in action over the next two weeks: Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf and Drake Powell while Nolan Traoré will miss both leagues due to a arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
Another familiar face Nets fans will see on the floor is Chaney Johnson, a late-season riser last year who was brought back on a two-way contract. Grant Nelson will travel with the team, although he won’t play as he continues to rehab from patellar tendinitis, commonly referred to as “jumper’s knee.”
Beyond that, the Nets have three undrafted players on Exhibit 10 deals on the Summer League roster, which virtually ensures they, too, will spend time with the Long Island Nets after a stint in training camp come October.
All three will be in action over the next two weeks, though, in Vegas and Sacramento. The three players include 6’4” guard Dion Brown out of St. Louis University, Ben Humrichous, a 6’9” combo forward who came off the bench for Illinois last year, and 6’10” Duke Brennan out of Villanova.
For the first time since draft night, Nets fans will get a look at their 2026 draft class. And following a lengthy offseason riddled with poor luck, tonight is the night to sit back, relax on the 4th, and watch Brooklyn’s next generation of talent hoop.
