NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets rookie guard Mikel Brown Jr. recently made his NBA debut in Wednesday's 144-128 preseason finale loss to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat after rehabbing his left ankle sprain. Brooklyn kept the same starting lineup that it used in the first three preseason games, meaning that Brown came off the bench, and it seems like that pattern could continue for the time being.
"You guys can look at what starter minutes are, and I think you can answer that question for yourself. Usually, if you play less than 24 minutes, it's hard to start [you] because otherwise, it's hard to finish minutes with that player," head coach Jordi Fernandez said of Brown after Friday's practice. Brown played 18 minutes in Wednesday's loss in Miami,
but he did finish the contest with 15 points, three assists, and two steals.
"Sometimes, it's just you can do it in many different ways and and so forth. But, we're not there yet for that reason. I need him to build the right way and impact the game," Fernandez continued. "As you're building [while] coming on the bench, I still have the luxury to finish games with them if I need to, and that's the type of team that we have here. We have a team that whoever's playing well that game will have a chance to finish, and it will help us win the game."
When it comes to Brown, many around the league likely assumed that he would be the starting point guard for the Nets for their home opener on Wednesday after being taken with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, Brown suffered his ankle sprain prior to the official beginning of training camp and since then, Brooklyn has been starting Egor Demin at point guard and Keon Ellis at shooting guard.
Fernandez has not been specific about what Brown's minutes limit is, but it's possible that Brown could be around 20 minutes per game until his ankle is strong enough for him to play more. As of now, it seems that the former Louisville Cardinal will be coming off the bench and once his ankle recovers enough for his restriction to be lifted, the conversation around him potentially starting will heat back up.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets rookie Mikel Brown Jr. to remain on minutes restriction for now
