Nets Face Shooting Woes in Summer League Loss to Knicks

Las Vegas — The Brooklyn Nets’ rookie class continues to raise concerns, primarily due to their struggles with 3-point shooting. In a pivotal summer league matchup on Tuesday night, the Nets fell 97-93 to the New York Knicks, bringing their Las Vegas record to 0-3.

3-Point Shooting Anxiety

The most glaring issue during the game was not just the Nets’ inability to convert from beyond the arc, but their reluctance to even take those shots. The team ended the night with a dismal 5-for-25 shooting performance from 3-point range, contrasting sharply with the Knicks, who hit 10-of-38 attempts.

Assistant coach Steve Hetzel commented on the pressing need for improvement, stating:

“I think there was a little too much hesitation. Our philosophy is to let it fly… The bottom line for us is it’s not whether it goes in, but the attempt. We did hesitate too much.”

Key Rookies Underperform

Among the rookies, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf had particularly tough outings, combining for only 13 points on 5-of-21 shooting. Alarmingly, they attempted just three 3-pointers, missing all of them.

• Nolan Traore: 2 points in 19 minutes, dealing with back issues after a hard fall.
• Ben Saraf: Recognized the team’s need for adjustment, emphasizing the importance of stepping up their game.

Saraf remarked:

“What the coaches have told us is to try to get as many 3-pointers as we can… We can do it better. It’s part of the process.”

Injuries and Absences Impact Performance

Traore is expected to miss Wednesday’s clash against the Orlando Magic, alongside Saraf. Meanwhile, lottery pick Egor Demin and fellow first-rounder Danny Wolf sat out the game against the Knicks, as did two two-way players—Tyson Etienne and Tosan Evbuomwan. These key absences significantly limited the Nets’ offensive capabilities.

Offensive Struggles

The Nets’ offensive woes were evident, especially with their reliance on Drew Timme, who managed to score a team-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. His late-game efforts were crucial, but not enough to turn the tide. Other contributors included Caleb Daniels and Quincy Olivari, who each added 16 points.

Game Highlights

• First Half: The Nets trailed 41-39 at halftime, with Knicks guard Tyler Kolek scoring 23 of his 25 points in the first half.
• Third Quarter: A 3-pointer from Anton Watson extended the Knicks’ lead to 66-56, marking one of the game’s critical moments.

Despite multiple attempts to rally, the Nets could not close the gap, demonstrating the urgent need for improvement in their offensive strategy.

Conclusion

The Nets’ summer league outings have illuminated the challenges ahead for their rookie class, especially concerning 3-point shooting. Moving forward, it’s imperative that the team embraces a more aggressive shooting philosophy to ensure better results. As they prepare for their next game against the Magic, overcoming these hesitations will be essential for success.

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