The Brooklyn Nets routed the New York Knicks 91-65 in Las Vegas Summer League action. Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Dëmin each scored 20 points to lead the way in a victory over the defending champions. Brooklyn improved to 2-1 after its strong showing in the California Classic and now prepares to face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Kingston Flemings, the No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlines the Hawks roster for the matchup. Brown Jr. and Dëmin will sit out the second night of a back-to-back, but the remainder of the squad will take the floor. Joshua Jefferson, selected 28th overall in the same draft, will make his Summer League debut and receive an extended opportunity to showcase his skills.
The backcourt pairing of Brown Jr. and Dëmin has quickly displayed chemistry. Both players move seamlessly between roles on the perimeter and in transition while maintaining spacing that creates opportunities for teammates. Dëmin in particular has transformed his approach since last summer. He attacked the rim far more aggressively in the win over the Knicks after barely venturing inside during his previous Summer League appearances.
Dëmin spoke after the game about the physical gains that have fueled his improved play. He credited added strength for the confidence to finish through contact and expects continued growth from that foundation. Those developments suggest his time in the Summer League environment may be limited moving forward as he pushes for a larger role on the main roster.
Drake Powell enters the final stretch of Summer League action with plenty to prove. A fan poll on the team’s community site identified him as the player facing the highest expectations heading into the season. The 20-year-old forward has struggled with his shooting through the early games and must improve his efficiency to carve out minutes in a deep rotation. Three contests remain for Powell to demonstrate growth and convince evaluators he belongs in the mix.
The emphasis on young talent supporting one another aligns with the organizational approach under general manager Sean Marks. New acquisition Julius Randle has already made his presence felt around the group even if not every veteran is in attendance. The fanbase has begun to embrace the new backcourt after seasons filled with losses. For now the focus remains on these positive early signs. The regular season will eventually test whether that optimism can be sustained, but the current momentum offers a welcome change for a franchise in transition.
