Grant Nelson Shines in NBA Debut
Grant Nelson, currently on a 10-day contract, made a strong impression during his home debut. This undrafted rookie scored 11 points, grabbed four rebounds, and blocked three shots against the Cavaliers in just his second NBA game.
“It’s really been a lifelong dream for me, so it’s just fun to go out and play with the best players in the world,” Nelson shared. “It feels like a dream come true. But I know there’s still work to be done.” He played 83 minutes over four games in five days, bouncing between Brooklyn and G League Long Island.
“The adrenaline from my first NBA game helped me push through this one,” he added. With this performance, Nelson became the first player in Nets history to achieve 10 points, five assists, and five blocks in his initial two games.
He joins Brook Lopez as the only Nets players to record multiple blocks in consecutive games during their career starts, and he is also alongside Jarrett Allen as one of the few Nets players to achieve five blocks in two career games.
Nets coach Jordi Fernandez praised Nelson, saying, “He’s a very good player, has a high basketball IQ, and plays hard. When combined, these traits helped him excel in both games.”
While three spots on the two-way roster are currently filled, there’s potential for a standard contract, making Nelson a viable candidate until the deadline on Wednesday.
In other news, Danny Wolf set new career highs with 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals, joining the ranks of notable Nets rookies like Chris Morris and Bernard King.
Nick Claxton missed Sunday’s game due to a sprained right thumb. Meanwhile, Egor Demin is dealing with plantar fasciitis, and Coach Fernandez mentioned, “We need to monitor how he feels and make the best decisions for his health.”
Donovan Mitchell has been traded to Cleveland, while James Harden recorded 22 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists against his former team. When asked about his playing future, the 36-year-old said, “I know it’s coming soon, hopefully later than soon, but that’s the reality. I just want to keep my body in shape and enjoy each moment—taking things one game at a time.”
