Nets dominate Kings in Summer League matchup
The Brooklyn Nets secured a decisive 115-83 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the 2026 NBA Summer League on Tuesday at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Nets’ strong defensive performance was a key factor, as they forced 28 turnovers from the Kings throughout the game. This win improves Brooklyn’s Summer League record to 2-1, while Sacramento’s record now stands at 1-2.
Egor Dëmin led the scoring for Brooklyn with 22 points. Dëmin, who was the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made a significant impact early in the game, scoring 20 of his 22 points in the first half, with 16 of those coming within the initial 10 minutes. His overall performance included four rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, with no turnovers.
The Nets established an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 38-18 advantage. Although the second quarter was nearly even, with Brooklyn outscoring Sacramento 18-16, the Nets maintained a substantial 22-point lead at halftime, with the score at 56-34. Brooklyn’s offensive surge included an 8-0 run after the Kings scored their first points.
Key player performances and team statistics
Beyond Dëmin’s contribution, several other Nets players reached double-figure scoring. Drake Powell contributed 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and added two steals. Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by Brooklyn, tallied 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting, along with two 3-pointers, two rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Danny Wolf chipped in 14 points, while Chaney Johnson recorded 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a game-best +31 rating. Off the bench, Ben Saraf provided 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting, five assists, and four steals. The Nets’ defensive activity was evident in their 21 steals, with six players each recording at least two steals.
Brooklyn also dominated in several statistical categories, including fast break points (30-3), points in the paint (56-34), and points off turnovers (41-16). The Kings struggled with turnovers, which the Nets capitalized on throughout the game.
Kings’ efforts to close the gap
Despite the significant deficit, the Kings showed some resilience in the third quarter, scoring 29 points. However, Brooklyn also posted 30 points in the same period, preventing Sacramento from significantly closing the gap. Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by Sacramento, led all scorers in the game with 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting, adding five assists, one steal, and one block, though he also had five turnovers.
Emanuel Sharp, the No. 45 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, contributed 23 points for the Kings on 7-for-12 shooting, including a game-high six 3-pointers, along with three rebounds and four steals. Sharp’s three-point shooting helped to reduce the deficit at various points. Both Acuff Jr. and Sharp attempted to spark a comeback in the third quarter, with Acuff Jr. making a couple of threes and Sharp showcasing his defensive skills with four steals.
The Kings’ second-round pick, Sharp, was effective from beyond the arc, making 6 of his 11 three-point attempts. Despite a stronger second half where Sacramento scored 49 points, the large lead established by the Nets in the first quarter proved too much to overcome. Sacramento is currently on a two-game skid in the Summer League, having also lost to the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Sacramento will play its next game against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
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Source: nba.com
