Keon Ellis, our guy on the Brooklyn Nets, just dropped 12 points and snagged a steal in a wild 114-108 preseason win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. This isn’t just a random stat line, folks, it’s a peek into a potentially huge breakout for Ellis, especially with a couple of key starters sidelined.
Opportunity Knocks, And Ellis Is Answering Loud and Clear
Ellis started at shooting guard for the second preseason game in a row, clocking 21 minutes, and he showed us exactly why he chose to sign with the Nets this offseason. Apparently, a big part of that decision was head coach Jordi Fernandez. And from what we saw, it looks like this is exactly the place for him to shine. Ellis wasn’t shy about it either, saying, “Honestly, I think the opportunity is there. I’ve been on teams where you have a lot of guys who score the ball and that’s just not my job.” But on Thursday, his job description expanded, big time.
He kept talking about just doing “his job,” whatever the game calls for. “A night like tonight, down two of our starters, the opportunity was just there,” Ellis said. “Me and Egor [Demin] was talking about it, some games, I’ll shoot two shots, sometimes I might shoot 10. So, whatever the game calls for, that’s just what it is. So, I think that’s just how the cards kind of played out.” He usually brings the defensive pressure on ball-handlers, but against LeBron James and the Sixers, he took the offense into his own hands, especially off the dribble. That’s a huge step.
What This Means With Starters Still Out
The Nets went into that Philly game without projected starters Michael Porter Jr. (nursing a wrist injury) and Day’Ron Sharpe. Their absence obviously opened up a ton of space for Ellis to make his move. When everyone’s healthy, Ellis might settle into more of a fourth or fifth option role, depending on how Sharpe and the starting point guard fit into the offensive flow. But what we’re seeing right now, in the preseason, is a player ready for more.
Right now, Ellis looks set to be that crucial point-of-attack defender who can spread the floor, but he’s also proving he can step up and score if the team needs him. It’s exciting to see a guy seize the moment like this. We’re talking about a player who came here for this exact chance, and he’s not wasting it. Keep your eyes peeled for Ellis in the next preseason matchups. If he keeps this energy up, the regular season is gonna be a blast!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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