The Brooklyn Nets snagged a 114-108 victory over LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, showing they’re ready to flip the script on those “low expectations” everyone’s been whispering about. Coming off a dominant win against the Charlotte Hornets earlier this week, Brooklyn faced their toughest preseason challenge yet, and they absolutely stepped up for an encouraging win. Yeah, the 76ers played their projected starters only in the first half, but still, seeing this young squad hang tough and pull out a win against that kind of talent? It’s a huge statement.
Offensive Firepower Stepping Up When It Counts
When Michael Porter Jr. was out with wrist soreness, you had to wonder who would carry the offensive load, right? Well, Julius Randle jumped into that void, dropping 14 points and grabbing six rebounds. He’s one of the best in the NBA at creating his own shot, and he showed flashes of that brilliance, even against a tough 76ers defense. He’s still finding his rhythm within the Nets’ offense, but the bright spots are definitely there. Then you’ve got Egor Demin, who started at point guard for the second straight game. He put up 13 points and five assists, proving he can get into the paint and bend the defense, even if his shooting was a bit inefficient trying to create his own looks. The willingness to get downhill is a huge plus for his game. They might have struggled initially guarding Philly’s fast-paced offense led by LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey, but this squad recovered in the second half, showing some real grit.
Young Guns Holding Their Own on Both Ends
Defense, baby! Mo Wagner got the start at center against none other than Joel Embiid, an MVP award winner not too long ago. And what did Wagner do? He largely held his own! He scored around the rim when he got the chance and was his patented disruptive self on defense, frustrating Embiid throughout the game. Talk about stepping up to the challenge. Keon Ellis, who started at shooting guard for the second straight game, looked more comfortable with each minute. He didn’t just pressure Philly’s ball-handlers on the perimeter; he showed off more of his scoring chops beyond just his shooting. And then there’s Noah Clowney, who started in place of Porter Jr. He had a slow start, not seeing the ball much early and facing some tough defensive matchups, but his off-ball efficiency could set him up for a really solid year. Even Josh Minott, who received a C- grade in this game, is already facing questions about his role, showing how much is expected from every guy on this roster.
This is one of the youngest teams in the league, and they’ve already made it clear: they’re out to win more games than anyone expects. This preseason has been a fantastic start, giving us a glimpse of what’s to come. What’s next for this hungry Nets squad? More chances to prove the doubters wrong, that’s what. Keep an eye on these guys; they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder.
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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