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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 Turn Kids Day into Full-On Playground

BQE Admin on January 15, 2026

Kids Day at the Barclays Center was a riveting success, full of dancing, performances, and fun! (Photos: Brooklyn Nets)

Michael Porter Jr. Leads Brooklyn Past Nuggets

By Christian Spencer

The Brooklyn Nets’ outreach to young fans centers on community engagement designed to put Brooklyn kids at the forefront of the game-day experience.

The Nets earned a 127–115 win over the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 4, the team’s first home game of the new year.

But the Kids Day matchup at Barclays Center—broadcast on the YES Network at 3 p.m.—was part of a broader effort that extended beyond the final score.

“The Nets Kids Games are one of many touchpoints—alongside digital content, community programs, and in-arena experiences—designed to help young fans feel connected to the team,” said Andrew Karson, executive vice president of marketing for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment.

“Kids respond to what feels current and authentic, so staying culturally relevant and listening to how they engage is key to building long-term relationships.”

The first 5,000 children through the doors received Kids Day giveaways, including kid-friendly keepsakes.

The first few thousand kids through the doors got “blind box” giveaways!

Inside the concourse, families had access to select concession items—pretzels, popcorn, and soft drinks—priced at $5, lower than the usual cost at NBA games.

Compared with the New York Knicks, whose fan base is long established, the Nets continue to focus on localized engagement.

That includes school-based programming tied to science and technology education, literacy initiatives such as Read Across Brooklyn, and recurring park and neighborhood events in communities including Bedford-Stuyvesant.

“By meeting families and youth where they are and authentically reflecting Brooklyn’s many cultures, we look to cultivate meaningful connections that extend well beyond game day,” Karson said.

Kids Day programming also put young fans at the center of the entertainment. Youth performers appeared during halftime and in-game breaks, and a kid reporter joined the broadcast.

Performances featured kids dance teams and a kid reporter!

“When families experience moments together at Kids Days, Practice in the Park, or community events, those moments become part of their history with family and friends,” Karson said. “Our goal is for today’s young fans to one day return with families of their own, carrying that sense of connection and tradition forward across generations.”

Beyond the Barclays, the Nets extend their reach through programs like NETSTEM, a supplemental STEM curriculum for elementary and middle school students, and Brooklyn Basketball, a joint youth program with the New York Liberty.

Across the street, a combine was held at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center.

“Even for kids who don’t pursue the sport long-term, the memories they create, the lessons learned and the relationships they form will endure,” Karson said.

These programs are designed to meet kids at every stage. At the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, after-school sessions for boys and girls ages 6–17 provide both basketball training and mentorship.

Each experience focuses on building confidence, teamwork, leadership, and a sense of belonging.

“This layered approach allows kids to grow with us, develop life skills along the way, and deepen their connection to the Nets and Liberty over time,” Karson said.

The team is also heavy on its digital content and interactive experiences, bringing young fans closer to Nets experience.

“By sharing behind-the-scenes access and telling connective stories on their favorite platforms, we’re able to spark early connections that can mature into long-term fandom,” Karson said, describing the team’s outreach across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

During the Kids Day game, the Nets were also promoting Michael Porter Jr. as a candidate for the upcoming All-Star Game, with many young fans already familiar with him through TikTok and Instagram, including his presence alongside rapper girlfriend Ice Spice.

MPJ’s star power is resonating with younger audiences, and with the Nets developing their young players and building momentum under head coach Jordi Fernández, the Kids Day celebration reflected learning, enthusiasm, and creativity.

Happy Net Year! Brooklyn Turns the Page With 7-4 December

BQE Admin on December 31, 2025

By Noah Zimmerman

noah@queensledger.com

While their winning came to an end with Monday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, the Brooklyn Nets were able to close out their first month above .500 of the season, their third in the last three seasons.

It’s been a drastic 3-month turnaround for Brooklyn, going winless in five October matchups before a woeful 3-11 November. Since then, a switch has flipped. In addition to their strong shooting, Brooklyn maintained the best defensive rating in the NBA during the final month of the calendar year. They finished 7-4, with impressive wins against the Raptors, 76ers, and Timberwolves.

Already riding a 6-3 stretch into Minnesota, the Nets took on their toughest foe of the month. They only shot 28% for three, but interior scoring helped bring their total FG% to 55%. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 28, while Jaden McDaniels added 16. Both were terrific on the defensive end.

Leading Brooklyn off the bench was Cam Thomas, his first game back after missing 20 with hamstring issues. It was his 30th time scoring 30 points in a game, shooting an efficient 9-15 and adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds. Thomas scored 12 straight Brooklyn points in the 3rd Quarter, helping them pull away late for a 123-107 win.

Back home to play the middling Warriors in their 2025 finale, Brooklyn had much less help from the second unit. The bench only added 27 points on 36% shooting, compared to 62 with 64% shooting against the Wolves.

The Nets put together a pair of 10-0 runs in the 1st but couldn’t pull away as Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry powered the Warriors to a 120-107 win. 

It was a tight physical matchup the whole night, with some phenomenal shooting by Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Dëmin. As well as another stellar all-around game from Nic Claxton.

Porter Jr.’s 56% shooting helped him to a team-leading 27 points while Brooklyn’s top draft pick matched his NBA best with 23 points. All of Dëmin’s made field goals came from beyond the arc, setting a Nets rookie record with seven three pointers. Claxton scored 15 points, tallying 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks.

In his second game back, Thomas produced significantly less in 19 minutes off the bench. He seemed overeager to put up shots despite a focused defensive effort to stop him, shooting 5-12 and finishing with 13 points and 2 assists.

The Warriors shot efficiently in the 4th quarter and a strong effort to stay within reach finally petered out for Brooklyn. They fell for the 20th time this year, an unfortunate finish after dominant play the rest of the month

Cam back off the bench

In his two games back, Cam Thomas showed the positive and negative side of his impact. When his shots are dropping like in Minnesota, he can easily provide a winning spark. When he fixates on getting shots up like against Golden State, he can be taken out of the game and made a detriment on both ends of the floor.

Since Brooklyn began to really turn the ship around in his absence, many were quick to suggest Cam’s ball-dominant playstyle as a culprit. Saturday’s win over Minnesota showed that Cam is more than capable of fitting into this Nets playstyle and providing exactly what Jordi Fernandez needs to lead the second unit.

Alternatively, there are games like Monday’s, where Thomas puts up a game-worst +/- at -24. When he doesn’t get the shots to fall and can’t fit the team’s flow, Thomas turns from a bonafide bucket to a tank engine.

If Brooklyn gets the good side of Thomas over the next month, they’ll be in a fascinating position. While they’re positioned to maximize their first round draft pick in 2026, they may not be sellers at the trade deadline as many expect. General Manager Sean Marks has shown hesitation to deal players and assets without clear benefit, and between Porter Jr. clicking in his first year in Brooklyn and Claxton turning the page, some of his most valuable assets may be ideal building blocks for the future.

Chris DeMarco in the building

Also on the Barclays Center hardwood on Monday night was Chris DeMarco, the new head coach of the New York Liberty. In his final game as an assistant with the Warriors, DeMarco was spotted chatting with Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez before tip-off and taking photos with the Golden State coaching staff after the final buzzer.

With the new year comes DeMarco’s new role, and the longtime Dubs assistant has officially closed that chapter of his career. Now DeMarco shifts his focus to the team taking the floor later in 2026, with a busy offseason still playing out.

“I love Barclays, I love what they’re building with the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center across the street,” DeMarco said after his final NBA game. “It’s a beautiful thing to see and it’s a growing league, I’m just excited to get started.”

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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