Nickel’s Summer League Debut
Tyler Nickel, a rookie for the New York Knicks, received an in-game endorsement from veteran forward Josh Hart during his NBA Summer League opener against the Brooklyn Nets. Hart posted a four-word message on X, stating, “55 got a chop,” referring to Nickel’s jersey number and his shooting ability. This reaction came as Nickel showcased his perimeter shooting skills.
Nickel, the No. 47 overall pick, contributed 18 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes. He shot 6-of-11 from the field and 6-of-10 from three-point range, with all of his points coming from beyond the arc. He was the Knicks’ second-leading scorer, behind Pacome Dadiet, who recorded 20 points and seven rebounds.
The Knicks faced offensive challenges in the game, resulting in a 91-65 loss to the Nets. Despite the team’s struggles, Nickel’s performance stood out. He connected on 60% of his three-point attempts, while his teammates combined for 3-of-29 from long range. Nickel was particularly effective in the fourth quarter, making all three of his attempts from deep.
Impact and Future Prospects
Nickel entered the NBA after a senior season at Vanderbilt where he made 40% of his three-point attempts. His shooting ability translated effectively in his first NBA competition. The Knicks selected the 6-foot-7 wing with the hope that his shooting could complement their veteran roster, and his debut offered an encouraging glimpse of that potential.
One report suggested that Nickel could become a strong candidate for one of the organization’s remaining two-way contract spots, especially given the Knicks’ roster flexibility limitations. Breaking into the regular-season rotation of the defending NBA champions will be challenging, as the team returns much of its title-winning roster.
However, head coach Mike Brown has shown that consistent performance and role embrace can earn players opportunities regardless of their draft status. Nickel has also made an impression off the court. The Knicks’ Summer League coach, T.J. Saint, reportedly noted Nickel’s defensive efforts and mentioned catching the rookie studying the playbook at the airport, highlighting his preparation and professionalism before the Summer League began.
These habits, combined with his shooting, could help Nickel establish a path with the New York team. Hart’s public endorsement during the game is seen as an encouraging first step for the second-round pick, even though one Summer League game does not guarantee a roster spot or regular-season minutes.
The Brooklyn Nets, who defeated the Knicks, also featured notable performances in their Summer League opener. Tyler Bilodeau, a second-round rookie for the Nets, demonstrated his three-point shooting, converting 58.3% of his attempts and averaging 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 26 minutes per game across two Summer League games.
The game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks took place in Las Vegas, NV, at the Thomas & Mack Center/Pavilion, with a tip-off time of 6:00 PM ET.
Nets’ Summer League Roster and Performance
The Brooklyn Nets showcased a deep roster with recent experience in the Summer League opener against the New York Knicks. The Nets had a 2-1 record in Salt Lake City prior to their Las Vegas games. Egor Demin led the team with 23 points and 7.5 assists across two games, while Mikel Brown Jr. finished with 10 points and four dimes in his single appearance.
The Nets’ roster included all four of last year’s first-round selections: Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf. Each of these players averaged at least 20 minutes and played 44 or more games last season. Additionally, two-way player Chainey Johnson, who saw NBA run last year, was also with the team for the action in Las Vegas.
In contrast, the New York Knicks’ Summer League roster featured Pacome Dadiet, Mo Diawara, and Dillon Jones. Diawara had the most playing time among this trio last season, averaging 9.2 minutes per game. The majority of the Knicks’ roster for the Summer League was comprised of undrafted players from 2026.
The Nets were considered favorites for the game due to their blend of experience and talent. The game was broadcast on YES Network, Gotham Sports App, Prime Video, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, and ESPN+ on Friday, July 10.
Source: sports.yahoo.com