Nets dominate early against Kings
The Brooklyn Nets secured a 115-83 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the 2026 NBA Summer League on Tuesday in Las Vegas. The Nets’ strong defensive performance was a key factor, forcing 28 turnovers from the Kings during the game at the Thomas and Mack Center. Brooklyn also recorded 21 steals, giving them a significant advantage over Sacramento in that category.
Egor Dëmin led the scoring for Brooklyn with 22 points. The No. 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft had a particularly strong first half, contributing 20 of his 22 points before halftime, with 16 of those coming within the first 10 minutes of the game. Dëmin also added four rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, without committing any turnovers.
The Nets established an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 38-18 advantage. Although the second quarter was more evenly contested, with the Nets outscoring the Kings 18-16, Brooklyn still maintained a substantial 22-point lead at halftime, with the score at 56-34. The Kings struggled to find an offensive rhythm early on, with the Nets’ defensive pressure consistently leading to turnovers.
Brooklyn’s offense also proved effective, particularly in fast break points, where they outscored Sacramento 30-3. They also had a significant edge in points in the paint (56-34) and points off turnovers (41-16). All five of Brooklyn’s starters reached double-figures in scoring, with Dëmin leading the group.
Key player performances
Beyond Dëmin’s performance, several other Nets players contributed significantly to the win. Drake Powell scored 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 with 14 points, while Chaney Johnson contributed 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.
For the Kings, Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by Sacramento, was the leading scorer for either team with 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting. He also recorded five assists, one steal, and one block, though he did have five turnovers. Acuff Jr. demonstrated his ability to penetrate the paint and find open teammates, despite the defensive pressure.
Emanuel Sharp, the No. 45 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, also had a strong scoring night for Sacramento, contributing 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Sharp made a game-high six 3-pointers out of 11 attempts and added three rebounds and four steals. Sharp’s three-point shooting helped the Kings attempt to cut into the deficit, particularly in the third quarter.
Second-half efforts and upcoming games
The Kings showed improvement in the second half, scoring 49 points, but the large deficit from the first quarter proved too much to overcome. Sacramento had a better third quarter, scoring 29 points, but Brooklyn also posted 30 points in the same period. The Kings are now on a two-game skid in the summer league, following a loss to the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
Sacramento’s second-round pick, Sharp, and Acuff Jr. attempted to spark a comeback in the third quarter, with both players finding their rhythm. Sharp also showcased his defensive capabilities with four steals in the game.
Following this result, Sacramento’s record in the Las Vegas Summer League stands at 1-2, while Brooklyn’s record improves to 2-1. The Kings are scheduled to play their next game on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics. The Nets will face the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
Source: nba.com