Nets basketball returned Saturday night, as head coach Jordi Fernández began his second season with a 123-88 preseason victory over Hapoel Jerusalem at Barclays Center.
From the outset, the difference in talent was unmistakable and the result never in doubt. A 34–22 first-quarter lead swelled to 25 by halftime, and the Nets continued to pull away behind balanced scoring and relentless full-court pressure.
Fernández opened with Ben Saraf, Cam Thomas, Terance Mann, Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton, using a 10-man rotation that also featured Nolan Traoré, Ziaire Williams, Tyrese Martin, Day’Ron Sharpe and Noah Clowney in the first half. Seventeen players saw action overall.
Egor Demin, Drake Powell and Haywood Highsmith were sidelined as they continue to recover from injuries. Speaking to reporters before the game, Fernández said every healthy player is expected to see action over the next two or three games.
Despite picking up five fouls in his first 11 minutes, Saraf — the 26th pick in June’s draft — impressed with his tight handle, sharp passing and steady pace, finishing with nine points and a team-high six assists in 18 minutes.
The 19th overall pick made an immediate impression, using his first touch to knife past two defenders for a layup in transition. Traoré’s shooting touch cooled from there, finishing with seven points on 2-for-6 shooting, along with two rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes.
Wolf, the 27th pick, didn’t check in until the second half but made the most of his minutes, flashing his passing touch and using his handle to exploit slower bigs. The former Michigan Wolverine finished with five points, five rebounds and five assists in 15 minutes.
Saraf, Traoré and Wolf offered an early glimpse of why Brooklyn is so high on its rookie class. Saraf’s command and decision-making stood out, while Traoré’s burst and creativity hinted at long-term upside once his shot stabilizes. Wolf showed the versatility that intrigued scouts as a big who can handle, pass and stretch the floor.
Together, their performances showed both the polish and growing pains the Nets expect to navigate over the course of the season.
Mann led all scorers with 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Porter added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Claxton chipped in 11 points and eight boards. The Nets shot 56.3% from the field, recorded 31 assists on 49 made baskets, and forced 13 turnovers.
Justin Smith scored a team-high 16 points for Jerusalem.
Brooklyn’s preseason continues overseas next week, with two games against the Suns in Macau, China.
