The Long Island Nets returned to the court on Tuesday, March 17, for a rematch with one of the NBA G League’s top teams, the Osceola Magic. The last time on the court, Long Island didn’t fare well, as they fell to Osceola by 20 points. Despite some early top-flight play from their newest signing, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Long Island once again fell to Osceola, this time 129-109.
With the loss, the Nets remained in sixth place in the East with five games to go. Eight teams make the post-season which
begins March 31.
Long Island remained without the three Brooklyn Nets two-way players — EJ Liddell, Chaney Johnson, and Tyson Etienne — as all three try to leave a lingering mark with the big club. Long Island was also without Malachi Smith, who’s still on his 10-day contract with Brooklyn, and without any of the Flatbush 5 members as well. So, it’s safe to say that this was slim pickings for Long Island, to say the least. However, there was one bright light in the G League darkness: Freeman-Liberty.
Despite the loss and little time to study up on the Nets schemes, he scored 17 points in 30 minutes, hitting 7-of-17 overall and 3-of-8 from deep. He even made a little history…
The 6’4” 26-year-old Freeman-Liberty was picked up off waivers earlier this week. He most recently appeared in nine games for the Brisbane Bullets during the 2025-26 NBL season. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 steals in 28.5 minutes per contest. Last season in his time in the NBA, he played in 19 NBA G League Tip-Off Tournament and 22 regular season games, starting 14, averaging 20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 34.7 minutes per game. In another words, he’s a bucket.
Freeman-Liberty is now the Long Island the player with the most NBA experience. He has played 22 NBA games, including six starts, with the Toronto Raptors. At the NBA level, he averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.
Fun fact about VFL: After winning the Illinois state championship with Chicago scholastic powerhouse Whitney Young, he had hoped to repeat in 2018. But Young lost to Belleville West High School whose stars were E.J. Liddell and Malachi Smith.
Another Nets newbie, Alex Schumacher, stepped up as well for the depleted. The 25-year-old 6’3” shooting guard out of Seattle scored 18 points in his best game. Schumacher just returned from a FIBA Europe qualifying tournament where he represented Switzerland and averaged 13.5 points in four games.
Next Up
The Long Island Nets (18-13) return to their home court on Thursday night, March 19th, for a showdown with their old friend Kendall Brown and the Maine Celtics. This was a game that was originally supposed to be played in February but had to be rescheduled due to snow. It also marks the Brooklyn Nets’ affiliation night, so some Brooklyn presence is certainly expected. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on the NBA G League website and the Gotham Sports app.
