The Nets Summer League tournament run ended in a 100-83 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, but not before a fourth-quarter surge nearly turned the tide. Despite trailing by 21, Brooklyn’s best was a 10-point deficit with a little more than three minutes in the fourth.
Dëmin finished the game with 21 points on 8-of-20 shooting.
It wasn’t only Egor that sparked a little life. Brooklyn played better defense and forced five turnovers in the final five minutes — including an eight-second violation. Dëmin’s step-back jumper at the 3:31 mark brought Brooklyn within 10 points at 87-77, which was the closest they would get.
Mikel Brown Jr. was met with physicality and endured his toughest summer showing, going 3-of-15 in 27 minutes. Meanwhile, Drake Powell couldn’t carry over his recent momentum, finishing just 1-of-6. The effort was there… but the shots just didn’t fall.
With the loss, the Nets were eliminated from Summer League championship contention. However, Brooklyn’s Summer League schedule is not over — the team will play one final consolation game this weekend.
The date, time, and opponent have yet to be announced.
For the Rockets, Bruce Thornton was the leader of the pack with 23 points, Tristen Newton added 20 points and six rebounds, and Isaiah Crawford recorded 12 points and eight rebounds before his fourth-quarter ejection.
What’s up with Michael Porter Jr.?
Speculation is heating up. In his discussion with reporters two days ago, Sean Marks painted a positive picture of the Nets situation with Michael Porter Jr.
“I’m sure we’ll have those discussions. I think we’ve got time. There’s no immediate hurry right now with Mike. We value him a lot. He had a terrific year last year, arguably his best year as a pro. I give him a lot of credit for that,” Marks said. “It’s been great to see what Mike’s done for us. I look forward to having those discussions, and seeing what Mike can do the rest of the summer and the rest of the season.”
Marks added he won’t rush any decisions at all.
However, Chris Haynes, senior analyst for TNT, suggests that if the Nets and Porter can’t come to an agreement, a trade might be in the works.
“Michael Porter Jr’s agent…is scheduled to meet with the Brooklyn Nets…towards the tail end of summer league or at the end of summer league to begin dialogue on an extension,” said Haynes on NBA TV’s “The Association” Wednesday. “If it becomes apparent early on that an extension is not in play, then I do believe the next step will be the Brooklyn Nets and Michael Porter Jr potentially parting ways and potentially looking to move him.”
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