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Nets Battle Jazz in Salt Lake as Trade Deadline Looms

BQE Admin on February 5, 2026

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Nets travelled out West last week for a trio of matchups to finish off a lackluster January. After going 7-4 in December, Brooklyn lost 14 of their first 16 games in 2026. They were able to break a 7-game losing streak in Salt Lake City, but a dry January saw Brooklyn back near the Eastern Conference basement.

It wasn’t a flashy affair in Utah, as the Nets and Jazz each entered with 34 losses. Lauri Markkanen didn’t suit up for the hosts after playing on back-to-back nights earlier in the week. Michael Porter Jr. missed the game for personal reasons after scoring 38 in his return to Denver the night before. 

Still, the game was an entertaining one as the Jazz kept within reach. The arena was full for the Friday night matchup despite the two bottom-dwelling teams featured. Part of the draw was Nets rookie Egor Dëmin, making his return to the Beehive State after starring as a freshman at BYU.

Dëmin put together his best professional performance in Utah’s capitol. He set career highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds to record his 1st double-double, also setting an NBA rookie record with 34 consecutive games with a made three pointer.

The Russian rookie was phenomenal from start to finish, hitting 6 threes, keeping the ball moving, crashing the boards, and even throwing down a delightful dunk. While his 3-pointer streak came to an end on Sunday in Detroit, he has shown tremendous potential as a young sharpshooter who can contribute in all aspects of the game.

Dëmin wasn’t the only Nets rookie to showcase their skills last Friday. Making his 6th NBA start was Danny Wolf, who came up with 14 points and 5 boards. Starting for the 2nd time in his career was Nolan Traoré, who brought great energy despite his shot not quite falling (6 assists and 2 blocks).

The other Nets to score in double figures were Cam Thomas with 21 and Day’ron Sharpe with 16. Thomas provided 14 straight points for Brooklyn to help them seize control, also finishing with 4 assists. Sharpe pulled down 9 rebounds, including a game-high 3 offensive boards.

Jazz youngsters also showed off for the home crowd, led by third-year guard Keyonte George’s 26 points and 7 assists. Fellow third-year Brice Sensabaugh added 18 off the bench, second-years Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier scored 14 and 10, respectively, and prized rookie Ace Bailey scored 12 with a pair of rebounds and steals.

Still, despite a wealth of young talent, the Jazz have had a hard time breaking out of mediocrity. This year it’s in part due to Walker Kessler’s season ending surgery, but even with their many lottery picks they sit well out of reach of the Western Conference play-in.

Finishing with the worst record in the league guarantees a draft pick no lower than 5th overall, and the three worst teams will each have a 14% chance of picking 1st overall. Following Monday’s games, Brooklyn’s record sat at 13-35, level with Washington and ahead of only the Pacers (13-37), Pelicans (13-39), and Kings (12-39).

While they’re not likely to ensure a top-5 pick, the trajectory of Brooklyn’s rookies and arsenal of future selections makes the future quite promising. Perhaps the most interesting moments of the Nets season will come this week with the NBA’s trade deadline.

All moves will be final at 3pm on Thursday, February 5, and it may include some high profile names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden. The Nets have some valuable players to offer in Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, Day’ron Sharpe, and Cam Thomas, as well as a NBA-best 10 tradable 1st round picks. 

Should the Nets sell at the deadline they are sure to remain in contention for a top pick, but even if they use their assets to make a splash they’ll be in a great position moving forward.

Nets Match Franchise Record for Margin of Victory With 45-point Win Over Bucks

BQE Admin on December 19, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

The Brooklyn Nets delivered a wild smackdown to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night, an impressive showing even with Milwaukee missing star big man Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their 45-point win is tied for the largest in franchise history, previously set in New Jersey back in 1993. Their previous record in the Brooklyn era came in 2022 when they defeated the Wizards by 42.

Despite the 127-point performance, no Net scored more than 17 points. Instead it was a terrific all-around performance with 9 different players scoring in double figures, including all 5 starters. Every Net recorded at least one rebound and all aside from Jalen Wilson recorded at least one assist. They beat the Bucks in both stats, also winning the battle in turnovers, blocks, steals, and fouls.

Rookie Egor Dëmin led the charge with his second-best performance in Brooklyn. His 17 points came with solid efficiency, shooting 6/8 and 3/3 at the FT line, also picking up 3 rebounds and 3 assists. While Michael Porter Jr. hit 2 of 7 three pointers and only managed 12 points (about half of his season average) the Net newcomer added 6 rebounds and 5 assists to round out his game.

The Nets were without Head Coach Jordi Fernandez, who missed the game with the flu. Assistant Steve Hetzel picked up his 1st career NBA win, echoing the same gameplan of constant ball movement and defensive effort.

“It’s a 45-point loss to a team trying to lose. They have 4 or 5 wins or whatever it is now,” lamented Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma. “That’s the beauty of this league, right? There’s so much talent and if you’re not ready you can get your butt whooped by any team.”

It was Brooklyn’s 7th win and the Bucks without Giannis certainly were not ready, though the Nets were by no means playing to lose. While they’re not constructed to contend by any means, they still have plenty of talent and when they connect on the gameplan they have shown immense promise.

Meanwhile in Milwaukee, things aren’t exactly going much better than in Brooklyn. It seems Giannis is destined for a trade in the near future and without him it’s possible the Bucks plummet from the 10th seed in the East, where they only hold a 11-16 record. If the Nets can catch their stride, especially depending on how the roster looks down the line, they could easily go on a winning stretch and find themselves in that very same play-in position.

Brooklyn Finally Breaks Through at Barclays

BQE Admin on December 4, 2025

Emphatic slams punctuate Nets win vs Hornets

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

In their 10th attempt, the Brooklyn Nets were finally able to emerge victorious on their home court in the 2025-26 season. Highlighted by a series of delectable dunks, Brooklyn were able to dispatch the Charlotte Hornets for a 116-103 win on the first night of December. It was their first win on home turf since early April.

Egor Dëmin, Danny Wolf, and Noah Clowney all threw down big dunks to the delight of the bench and local crowd. Egor’s came in transition while Wolf and Clowney both threw down contested slams.

Leading the Brooklyn offense once again was Michael Porter Jr., who recorded his 6th game with 30+ points in his first 17 games as a Net. He hit a season high 7 three-pointers, tied for the second most in his career. Porter Jr. has truly stepped into his new role as primary scorer for the Nets, and he credits Head Coach Jordi Fernandez for helping him elevate his play.

“I think Jordi is a genius of a coach in terms of the schemes he puts out, especially offensively for me” Porter said postgame about his coach. “The different creative ways that Jordi has our team running plays to help me get touches and looks off is really next level. He’s making it so easy for me to play my game.”

Notably, some of the Nets’ best performances have come in the absence of Cam Thomas, currently nursing a hamstring injury. The offense has looked more fluid and potent even without his incredible scoring touch, and the Nets rookies have taken advantage of increased minutes.

Thomas is set to get a MRI at the end of the week, with updates on his return to play coming shortly after. With Brooklyn playing better ball and confidence starting to take hold after a lethargic start to the campaign, perhaps Cam’s return could be the catalyst for continued success. 

Of course, the Nets won’t be in a rush to get Cam back, as his hamstring is the same one injured multiple times last season, holding him to just 25 games played. Whether a contributor on the floor or an asset for a trade, Brooklyn needs Thomas back long term.

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