Grant Nelson, on a 10-day contract, acquitted himself well in his home debut.
The undrafted rookie had 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks against the Cavaliers in just his second NBA game.
“It’s really been my dream my whole life. So it’s just fun to get out there, play with some of the best players in the world,” said Nelson. “It’s just really a dream. But I know the work’s not done. I still got a lot to work on.”
Nelson has logged 83 minutes over four games in four cities in five days between Brooklyn and G-League Long Island.
“The adrenaline I’ve had just playing in my first NBA games just kind of carried me through it,” said Nelson, the first player in Nets history to total 10 points, five assists and five blocks combined over his first two career games.
Nelson joined Brook Lopez as the only Net with multiple blocks in consecutive games to start a career, and Jarrett Allen as the only one with five blocks through two career games.
“He’s a very good player, high IQ, he’s got a great feel for the game, and plays extremely hard,” said Nets coach Jordi Fernández. “So, you put all those things together, and he’s played very well in the two chances.”
The three two-way roster spots are filled, but any could be converted to a standard deal and Nelson could then be inked to a two-way.
The deadline for that is Wednesday.
Danny Wolf had a career-high 23 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, joining Chris Morris, Mike O’Koren and Bernard King as the only Nets rookies to ever hit those figures.
Nic Claxton missed Sunday’s loss with a right thumb sprain.
Egor Dëmin was held out to rest his plantar fascia.
“[Nic] got hit in [Friday’s] game,” said Fernández. “We’ll see how he feels after [Sunday], so there’s no timetable.
“With Egor, he’s been dealing with the plantar fascia. He’s been out for back-to-backs in the past. These [past] two he’s played. But we’re going to have to see how he feels and have a plan with what’s best for him, his body. So, we’ll come up with that. But for sure, No. 1 thing is, and then he feels better.”
Donovan Mitchell was out for Cleveland.
James Harden stepped up against his old team with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
The 36-year-old was noncommittal about how much longer he wants to play.
“I know it’s coming soon. Hopefully, later than soon, but it’s a reality,” said Harden. “Everybody has to go through this at some point. Just trying to continue to keep my body in shape and play well. We’ll see what happens in the next few years. Take one game at a time and cherish the moments.”
