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BROOKLYN, NY - JULY 7: Jessica Shepard #32 of the Dallas Wings drives to the basket during the game against the New York Liberty on July 7, 2026 at Barclays Center Arena in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

There was a moment — one of many — in the Nets-Kings game that showed just what the new and improved Egor Demin can do. Mikel Brown Jr. wasn’t playing and for many fans, the contest was disappointing. There would be no faceoff between Brown Jr. and Darius Acuff, taken just after him in the June Draft. But that gave Brown Jr.’s prospective backcourt mate, the 6’9.5” Russian, a chance to show his stuff against the 6’2.5” Acuff.

The Long Island Nets have found their new head coach, naming associate head coach Shawn Swords to the job just hours after their former head coach, Mfon Udofia, was officially named an assistant coach by the Orlando Magic. Udofia was the winningest coach in Long Island history and has cemented himself in the franchise history books. Now Swords will have some big shoes to fill, but if anyone can fill them, he can.

The Liberty played their best game in their last game and won the Commissioners Cup. Are they on a roll? The 99-86 victory the New York Liberty had against the Minnesota Lynx was a brief demonstration of how good the Libs can be when they hit on all cylinders. On the offensive end, Breanna Stewart had the force of a wrecking ball, scoring 16 of her 36 points in the first quarter. Not only did she score it in a variety of ways, but she missed only five shots during the evening.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Nets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Brooklyn made a splash in the 2025 NBA Draft by taking five first-round picks, the most first-round picks ever taken in one Draft. It’s only been one season (and now our second Summer League) with these guys, and we’re trying to get a grasp on what the five got.

At noon Monday, the NBA’s annual race for proven talent — free agency — began but for Brooklyn Nets fans, it was a bit of non-starter. The Nets made some moves, all of them already agreed to and not surprising. However, the big move so far this Summer did not materialize: the multi-team trade that will send Nic Claxton to Chicago and bring Julius Randle and an exchange of picks from Minnesota to Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn Nets played their third contest in July this evening, though in many ways, it felt like the true start of Summer. Mikel Brown Jr., Brooklyn’s sixth overall pick and highest drafted player since 2010, logged his first minutes in a Nets uniform tonight after sitting out the first two. What Brown Jr.’s Summer League debut lacked in punctuality was quickly made up for in thrill. Two days after the East River fireworks had faded, he kept the “oohs” and “ahs” echoing throughout Brooklyn.

After going 1-1 through their first two games in Sacramento, the Brooklyn Nets will close out their California Classic three-game slate tonight, squaring off against the Golden State Warriors. And unlike yesterday, this is going to be a noteworthy game for fans to tune in to, as Miklel Brown Jr., Brooklyn’s No. 6 overall pick and their highest pick since they left New Jersey, will be making his Summer League debut.

After waiting two games, Nets fans will finally get to see Mikel Brown Jr. in action — one day after the Nets steamrolled the Bucks. There hasn’t been much word about why he’s been out, but any concern is justified given his history with back injuries. One would have to assume that the front office is being particularly cautious with him. They’re playing their third straight game in three days, then they’ll head over to Las Vegas for more.

The Brooklyn Nets don’t have offensive or defensive coordinators, but it’s been widely known around HSS Training Center that he’s a guy whose forte is stopping the other team from scoring, whether in practices or at the end of games. As Brooklyn’s Summer League head coach in Sacramento and Las Vegas, that’s what to expect and in the two games so far in the California Classic, that’s been what has drawn attention.