The Nets looked in complete control after building an 18-point lead, but Sacramento stormed back to steal a 79-76 victory. Despite the loss, Egor Demin's impressive 23-point performance provided plenty of optimism.
The Brooklyn Nets opened their 2026 NBA Summer League schedule with a heartbreaking 79-76 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday in the California Classic despite leading by as many as 18 points.
The matchup was missing two notable Brooklyn names before tipoff. Danny Wolf did not suit up for the California Classic opener, while Mikel Brown Jr. was unavailable as well. As a result, fans were denied what had been one of the day's most anticipated rookie matchups between Brown Jr. and fellow first-round pick Darius Acuff Jr.
Brooklyn appeared to be in complete control early before Sacramento clawed its way back behind a dominant second quarter and a clutch late three-pointer from Nique Clifford with five seconds remaining. While the result was disappointing, first-round pick Egor Demin provided plenty of optimism, finishing with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting and adding 7 rebounds.
The Nets wasted little time establishing themselves in the opening quarter.
Starting Ben Saraf, Egor Demin, Drake Powell, Tyler Bilodeau, and Chaney Johnson, Brooklyn immediately imposed its will defensively after surrendering an opening-possession dunk. Powell drew the primary assignment on fellow first-round pick Darius Acuff Jr., while Johnson protected the paint with an early block as Sacramento struggled to generate any offensive rhythm.
Brooklyn held the Kings to just 3-of-16 shooting in the opening quarter, including an 0-for-10 mark from beyond the arc. Acuff, one of the most anticipated players in the California Classic, managed just one field goal in seven attempts during the first 10 minutes as the Nets' physical defense consistently forced him into difficult shots.
Offensively, the Nets received contributions from throughout the lineup. Saraf attacked the basket effectively, Bilodeau displayed more than just his perimeter shooting with an early hook shot before knocking down a three-pointer, and Demin remained aggressive despite missing his first few attempts from deep. Hunter Sallis and Ben Humrichous also provided an immediate spark off the bench, helping Brooklyn build a commanding 21-10 lead after one quarter.
The momentum shifted completely in the second.
After Demin pushed Brooklyn's lead to 28-10 early in the quarter, Sacramento responded with an overwhelming 18-0 run fueled by improved defensive intensity and a flurry of Brooklyn turnovers. Jamarion Sharp controlled the paint, while Clifford and Emanuel Sharp sparked the Kings on both ends of the floor.
Acuff also began to settle into the game after his difficult start. Rather than settling for contested jumpers, the rookie attacked downhill, scoring on consecutive drives while converting a three-point play that gave Sacramento its first lead of the afternoon. Brooklyn answered late behind another timely three from Demin, sending the teams into halftime tied at 37 despite the Nets dominating the glass 23-13.
The game remained tightly contested throughout the third quarter.
Brooklyn's defense continued to frustrate Acuff from the perimeter, as the rookie repeatedly came up short from three-point range. Johnson continued his productive afternoon with several finishes around the rim, Bilodeau added a floater, and Demin consistently attacked the basket to keep the Nets in front for much of the quarter.
Although Sacramento briefly threatened to regain control behind Acuff's improved play inside the arc, Brooklyn carried a slim 57-56 lead into the fourth after surviving another Kings push.
The Nets looked ready to pull away once again early in the final quarter.
Demin buried a three-pointer before converting an and-one opportunity during a decisive 13-0 Brooklyn run that turned a three-point deficit into a 10-point lead, 70-60. Humrichous also connected from beyond the arc during the stretch as the Nets appeared poised to close out the victory.
Instead, Sacramento had one final response.
Clifford ignited the comeback before Acuff finally connected on his first three-pointer of the afternoon to briefly put the Kings back in front. Saraf answered with a difficult layup, and Bilodeau knocked down a mid-range jumper to give Brooklyn a 76-75 lead with under a minute remaining.
Acuff split a pair of free throws to tie the game with 34 seconds left before Clifford delivered the game's biggest shot, knocking down the go-ahead three with five seconds remaining to give Sacramento a 79-76 lead. Brooklyn was unable to answer on its final possession.
Despite the loss, Demin was the clear bright spot for Brooklyn, finishing with 23 points and seven rebounds while looking comfortable creating offense throughout the afternoon. Bilodeau, Johnson and Saraf each flashed encouraging moments, particularly during the Nets' dominant first quarter.
Demin was undoubtedly Brooklyn's brightest spot, but the same couldn't be said for fellow 2025 first-round pick Drake Powell. The wing struggled to find his offensive rhythm, going 0-for-9 from the field and committing three turnovers. Powell still managed four points by getting to the free-throw line, while his physical defense against Acuff remained a positive throughout much of the game.
Acuff's stat line told a different story than his overall performance. Although he finished with 25 points, Brooklyn largely succeeded in making life difficult for the rookie guard, holding him to 9-of-29 shooting and just 1-of-9 from three-point range. After beginning the game 1-for-9, Acuff eventually found ways to impact the game by relentlessly attacking the basket and making timely plays late.
Ultimately, turnovers proved to be Brooklyn's undoing. The Nets committed 20 turnovers compared to Sacramento's nine, repeatedly allowing the Kings to erase deficits despite winning the rebounding battle and receiving the game's best individual performance from Demin.
Brooklyn will have little time to dwell on the defeat, as the Nets return to the court Sunday afternoon to face the Milwaukee Bucks at 3 p.m. ET in their second California Classic game. Sacramento will also be back in action Sunday, taking on the Golden State Warriors at 5 p.m. ET.
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