Erik Slater Articles - Page 2

Brooklyn Nets center Day’Ron Sharpe will miss his second straight game on Thursday due to a left thumb sprain. Head coach Jordi Fernandez said the fifth-year center has no timetable for his return. “No timeline. [Day’Ron has a] thumb sprain. Whatever time it takes for him to feel good to play again,” Fernandez said. Sharpe […]

The Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded for the second straight game when they travel to face the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. The Nets ruled out Michael Porter Jr. (right ankle sprain), Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb sprain) and Nolan Traore (rest) for the matchup. Ziaire Williams (illness) is questionable. The Nets recently shut down breakout rookie […]

Michael Porter Jr. broke his podcast hiatus last week. When asked about the No. 1 rule change he would like to see the NBA make, the Brooklyn Nets forward pointed to the league’s tanking epidemic. “They gotta do something about this tanking situation. I don’t like how teams are deliberately trying to tank to get […]

The NBA’s tank race is heating up. While many tanking teams are doing all they can to ensure losses, the Brooklyn Nets rattled off back-to-back wins over the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies. Following a 10-game losing streak, the Nets stunned the Pistons with a 23-point comeback in Detroit on Saturday. Jordi Fernandez rode a […]

Egor Demin’s rookie campaign is over. The Brooklyn Nets announced the No. 8 pick will miss the remainder of the season due to increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Demin missed most of the offseason due to a plantar fascia tear. The BYU product missed Brooklyn’s last four games amid increased left foot soreness. […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are jockeying for position in a tightly contested NBA tank race. They unveiled a lengthy injury report for Monday’s matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. The Grizzlies will be without Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Clarke and Taj Gibson. Meanwhile, Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Scottie Pippen Jr. and Taylor […]

Michael Porter Jr. is getting the night off during a critical tank matchup following the Brooklyn Nets’ upset win over the Detroit Pistons. Porter was ruled out for Monday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies for rest. The rest night comes after the Nets lost ground in a tightly-contested tank race following Saturday’s 23-point second-half comeback […]

The Brooklyn Nets could be without one of their top contributors for an extended period. Egor Demin was ruled out for Monday’s matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies due to left plantar fascia injury management. The game will mark the rookie guard’s fifth consecutive absence. Demin missed most of the offseason due to his plantar fascia […]

Kasparas Jakucionis is carving out a valuable role with the Miami Heat during his rookie season. Following a ball-dominant freshman season at Illinois, the No. 20 pick’s dramatic shooting improvement has allowed him to thrive alongside Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others. After shooting 31.8 percent from three with Illinois, Jakucionis has shot 44.0 percent […]

Cam Thomas didn’t mince words about his ugly breakup with the Brooklyn Nets. Waived by the Nets after they were unable to find a trade for him at the deadline, the newly signed Milwaukee Bucks guard said his problems with Brooklyn were “absolutely” about the team not believing in him. Thomas took his criticisms a […]

Nine years into his NBA career, Bam Adebayo’s defensive impact remains undeniable. The Miami Heat star’s defensive prowess was on full display during Tuesday’s blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. Adebayo tied his career-high with six steals and added a block as Miami held Brooklyn to 98 points on 33-of-86 (38.4 percent) shooting. Following the […]

The Miami Heat are attempting avoid falling into the Eastern Conference play-in tournament for the fourth straight season. Tyler Herro’s ability to return to form will be critical in that pursuit. After missing extended stretches earlier this season due to ankle surgery and a toe injury, Herro recently returned from a month-long absence due to […]

The Brooklyn Nets lost their ninth straight game on Tuesday, 124-98 to the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. After struggling alongside Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton had an apt description of his team’s performance in their first of back-to-back matchups in South Beach. “It was an all-around stinker,” Claxton said. The Nets are searching for […]

Kenny Atkison knows about the challenges of a rebuild. The former Brooklyn Nets head coach, now leading the championship-hopeful Cleveland Cavaliers, also knows what it takes for one to be successful. While Atkinson acknowledged the difficulties of the Nets’ situation,  he’s confident the team will eventually break through, as his group did when they made […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers are attempting to salvage their season following a disappointing start. Veteran center Jarrett Allen has emerged as an x-factor in the team’s championship pursuit. Allen has fueled a Cavaliers resurgence while playing the best basketball of his career. The 27-year-old averaged 22.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks on 74.0 […]

The Cleveland Cavaliers and James Harden were nearly dealt a season-deciding injury blow on Wednesday. An X-ray of the star point guard’s right thumb revealed a non-displaced fracture suffered on Tuesday vs. the New York Knicks. While the injury would normally require surgery, Harden never considered that an option. “That’s too much time out,” the […]

Nolan Traore is finding his footing with the Brooklyn Nets. The 19-year-old rookie has impressed with his poise as the team’s lead ball-handler after earning a starting role. He turned in another encouraging performance against fellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama during Brooklyn’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Wembanyama, who first met Traore during […]

The Brooklyn Nets sent rookie first-round pick Drake Powell down to the G League on Friday amid an extended shooting slump. Powell, the No. 19 pick in the 2025 draft, had been a bright spot for Brooklyn for extended stretches earlier this season. The North Carolina product has continued to make a defensive impact at […]

The Brooklyn Nets will be shorthanded as they attempt to snap a seven-game losing streak on Sunday vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers. Egor Demin was ruled out for the matchup due to left plantar fascia injury management. Nic Claxton is questionable for the Cavaliers matchup due to a right thumb sprain. Demin missed most of the […]

Josh Minott played extended minutes with the Brooklyn Nets for the first time on Friday. While the Nets were thoroughly embarrassed during a 148-111 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, Minott turned heads with his play against his former team. The trade deadline acquisition was among Brooklyn’s lone bright spots, posting nine points and two […]

The San Antonio Spurs have built one of the NBA’s most feared defenses. Victor Wembanyama’s MVP-level play has drawn the most attention. However, Stephon Castle’s emergence as one of the league’s top on-ball defenders has been an elite compliment to the French superstar. “[Stephon] understands his role very well. The level he’s playing at is […]

Victor Wembanyama has a chance to become the NBA’s youngest-ever MVP during his third season. While he feels the San Antonio Spurs’ success is his strongest argument, he knows he’ll have to elevate his individual performance the rest of the way to separate himself. “I know I’m in the MVP conversation. Of course, it’s one […]

There’s little debate that Victor Wembanyama has grown into one of the NBA’s top players in his third season. The 23-year-old’s monstrous production has elevated the San Antonio Spurs to legitimate contender status. Is it enough to make him the league’s youngest MVP of all time? Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson thinks so. “He’s as […]

Victor Wembanyama has cemented himself as the NBA’s most feared defender in his third season. The French phenom’s defensive impact has been a driving force in the San Antonio Spurs’ emergence as a title contender. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson revealed how Wembanyama’s mentality separates him from other elite defenders. “You can see that he’s […]

San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram has spent most of this season honing his skill set behind the scenes. The 2024 second-round pick’s quiet development has been a source of satisfaction within the Spurs organization. Ingram was named G League Player Of The Week after averaging 22.2 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists over his […]

The Dallas Mavericks have shifted their focus towards the future after parting ways with Anthony Davis. With Kyrie Irving sidelined for the season, several guards are auditioning for long-term roles with the team. Brandon Williams is among the group, and he’s making the most of his opportunity. Williams continued a breakout stretch during Tuesday’s 123-114 […]

The Brooklyn Nets don’t have a chance when Michael Porter Jr. isn’t on his A game. Porter’s subpar play over the last month has illustrated his importance to his team’s ability to compete. The 6-foot-10 sharpshooter was among the NBA’s most efficient scorers during the first half of the season, averaging 25.6 points on 48/40/85 […]

Marvin Bagley was an afterthought in the discourse surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ trade return for Anthony Davis. However, the former No. 2 pick has made an impact for the Mavericks during his first games following the blockbuster deal. Bagley turned in his most efficient performance of the season during Tuesday’s 123-124 win over the Brooklyn […]

The Brooklyn Nets have their sights set on a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. After making an NBA-record five-round picks last June, the team has seemingly committed to building through the draft for the first time in the Brooklyn era. Despite this, rival teams continue to point to Brooklyn as a potential trade […]

Tuesday’s Brooklyn Nets-Dallas Mavericks matchup at Barclays Center is in question as a historic blizzard pounds the Northeast. Following Sunday’s loss to the Hawks, the Nets’ plane will be grounded in Atlanta through Monday, according to league sources. Brooklyn is planning to fly to New York on Tuesday morning, weather permitting. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are […]

There are late-game struggles, and then there are complete meltdowns. The Brooklyn Nets fell in the latter category during Sunday’s 115-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Jordi Fernandez’s squad appeared in control after taking a 102-91 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Hawks then outscored them 24-2 to close the game during the Nets’ ugliest […]

The Sacramento Kings are signing a former top-10 draft pick amid a historic losing streak. Killian Hayes has agreed to a 10-day contract with the Kings, who have lost a franchise-record 16 straight games, first reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Hayes, the No. 7 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, spent over three seasons with […]

Ziaire Williams will miss his second consecutive game for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Brooklyn ruled Williams out for its matchup with the Atlanta Hawks due to personal reasons. Williams played 22 minutes during Thursday’s 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Nets ruled him out for Friday’s 105-86 loss to the Oklahoma City […]

Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton’s surprise ankle injury won’t keep him sidelined for an extended period. Claxton missed the team’s last two games after injuring his ankle during practice on Wednesday. However, he’s available to return during Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Brooklyn is in significant need of frontcourt reinforcements following back-to-back blowout losses […]

The Brooklyn Nets will have Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Demin available during a back-to-back for the first time in over two months on Friday. Neither Porter nor Demin appeared on Brooklyn’s injury report ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both played during Thursday’s 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Nets […]

Ochai Agbaji is embracing a fresh start with the Brooklyn Nets. Salary dumped by the Toronto Raptors at the deadline, the former lottery pick has an opportunity to regain his form in Brooklyn during the second half of the season. Agbaji took a step in the right direction during his first extended action as a […]

The Brooklyn Nets looked like a team still on vacation during their first game out of the All-Star break. Jordi Fernandez’s squad sleepwalked through a 112-84 loss to the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday to open the second half of the season. The game marked the Nets’ NBA-leading eighth wire-to-wire loss of the season. Brooklyn […]

The Brooklyn Nets will begin the second half of the season without their starting center. Nic Claxton sprained his right ankle during practice on Wednesday. Brooklyn ruled him out for Thursday’s road matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Claxton has put together one of the best statistical seasons of his career following an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign. […]

Sean Marks is looking for “the next Brooklyn Nets” as his team moves forward in its rebuild. While several familiar faces will battle to secure long-term roles during the second half of the season, two new faces — Josh Minott and Ochai Agbaji — have entered the mix. The Nets acquired Minott and Agbaji from […]