The Brooklyn Nets delivered a defense-first statement at the 2026 NBA Summer League on Tuesday, rolling past the Sacramento Kings 115-83 to improve to 2-1 while dropping Sacramento to 1-2.
Egor Dëmin set the tone early and never let it slip, finishing with 22 points in a lopsided win that was built on pressure, turnovers and transition scoring. Dëmin scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half, including 16 in the first 10 minutes of the game, and filled the box score with four rebounds, eight assists and four steals while committing zero turnovers.
The result mattered well beyond the final margin: Brooklyn’s ability to generate takeaways and convert them into points separated the teams quickly and consistently, turning the game into a one-sided showcase of pace and defensive activity.
Fast start, relentless pressure: how Brooklyn broke it open
Brooklyn’s opening quarter was decisive. The Nets stormed out to a 38-18 advantage after one, creating immediate separation and forcing Sacramento to chase the game from the outset. While the second quarter was nearly even (Brooklyn won it 18-16), the early damage still left the Nets comfortably ahead 56-34 at halftime.
Dëmin’s first-half outburst was the headline, but Brooklyn’s team-wide pressure was the engine. The Nets finished with 21 steals, and six different players recorded at least two. That activity translated directly into easy offense: Brooklyn dominated points off turnovers 41-16 and controlled the fast-break battle 30-3.
Brooklyn also owned the interior, outscoring Sacramento 56-34 in points in the paint. The combination of rim pressure, transition opportunities and live-ball turnovers created a steady stream of high-value possessions, allowing the Nets to keep building their lead without relying on a single scoring run.
Sacramento did show some fight coming out of the break, putting up 29 points in the third quarter. But the Kings couldn’t get stops on the other end, allowing Brooklyn to answer with 30 in the same period. Any momentum Sacramento generated was immediately met with a response, and the gap remained firmly in Brooklyn’s control.
Balanced scoring behind Dëmin’s lead
Brooklyn’s offense wasn’t a one-man show, even with Dëmin’s early eruption. All five Nets starters finished in double figures, led by Dëmin’s 22.
Drake Powell added 18 points, knocking down four 3-pointers and collecting two steals. Mikel Brown Jr. contributed 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting, including two 3-pointers, and added two rebounds, five assists and two steals. Danny Wolf chipped in 14 points, while Chaney Johnson posted 13 points and nine rebounds with three assists and a game-best +31 rating.
Brooklyn also got a spark off the bench from Ben Saraf, who finished with 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting. Saraf added five assists and four steals, continuing the theme of ball pressure and quick conversion opportunities.
Kings’ top scorers answer, but turnovers prove costly
For Sacramento, Darius Acuff Jr. led all scorers with 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting. He added five assists, one steal and one block, but also had five turnovers in a game where Brooklyn’s defense consistently disrupted ball-handling and passing lanes.
Emanuel Sharp provided a major perimeter punch with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting, adding three rebounds and four steals while hitting a game-high six 3-pointers. Even with that shooting output, Sacramento couldn’t overcome Brooklyn’s edge in transition and turnover-driven scoring.
What’s next for Nets and Kings
The Summer League schedule moves quickly. Sacramento (1-2) returns to action Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, while Brooklyn (2-1) will face the Houston Rockets on Thursday.
For the Nets, Tuesday’s win offered a clear blueprint: aggressive defense that creates steals, immediate conversion into fast-break points, and balanced scoring around a lead playmaker. For the Kings, the challenge is tightening ball security and finding answers to sustained pressure after falling behind early.
