Las Vegas witnessed a thrilling display of young talent on July 13, 2025, as the Brooklyn Nets squared off against the Washington Wizards in their second game of the NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Arena. The match was a rollercoaster of highlight plays and intense competition, showcasing the promising futures of several players, with the spotlight firmly on former Gonzaga standout Drew Timme.
The Nets, who entered the game with five first-round picks—four of whom were healthy and ready to impress—battled the Wizards in a high-scoring affair that came down to the wire. Brooklyn’s rookie point guard, Egor Dëmin, the eighth overall pick, set the tone early. He hit two three-pointers in his first stint and demonstrated a calm and confident shooting stroke, finishing with 12 points on 4-of-10 from beyond the arc, along with four assists and just one turnover. His ability to stretch the floor was evident, especially when the Wizards dared to go under his pick-and-roll screens, prompting Dëmin to mockingly ask his bench, "Why's he going under [the screen on me]?" according to the NBA’s official Twitter account.
However, it was Drew Timme who stole the show. The 24-year-old veteran of the Summer League was the true leader on the floor for Brooklyn. Timme posted a commanding 30 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including a memorable poster dunk that electrified the crowd and even caught the attention of his NBA teammates on the sideline. Reflecting on the dunk, Timme admitted, "I’m not gonna lie, I did not know I made it. It’s not really what I’m known for, but I get up every now and then, and everyone was like, ‘Oh!’ and I was like, ‘did I make that?’" His performance also included five rebounds, three assists, and a steal across 31 minutes, shooting an efficient 54.1 percent from the field.
Timme’s impact extended beyond scoring. His veteran presence was a calming influence on a young Nets squad eager to learn and grow. He praised his rookie teammates’ rapid development, stating, "It’s crazy to see their jump from game one to game two, and even throughout practices... I was just there a couple months ago myself when I got signed. So, you know, just seeing their growth and their maturity and being able to handle everything has been pretty special. And they’re all eager to learn, always asking questions. It’s just really good." Fellow rookie Egor Dëmin echoed the admiration, calling Timme "an amazing player" and noting, "I feel like guys from the other team underestimate him and well, he does everything to prove them wrong. Right? ... I just hear more stories now from, you know, some people who know him from Gonzaga being annoyingly good and right now, those two games, he’s annoyingly good." The mutual respect between the young Nets players highlights a strong team chemistry that could bode well for the franchise’s rebuilding efforts.
Brooklyn’s other young talents showed flashes of promise as well. Nolan Traoré, coming off the bench despite a strong start in the previous game, played 23 minutes and contributed three assists while consistently attacking the paint. Though his shooting was 3-of-10, Traoré’s aggressive play was evident, including a highlight finish over two defenders. Danny Wolf, after a shaky first half with three turnovers, recovered to fill the stat sheet with eight points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and four blocks, demonstrating his all-around game. Ben Saraf, another guard, logged 21 minutes with a 7/2/6 line, showing tight ball-handling and physicality on drives despite some turnovers.
Despite the Nets’ spirited effort, the Wizards managed to close out the game in the final moments. Washington’s sixth overall pick, Tre Johnson, was a force in the second half, finishing with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting and repeatedly attacking Dëmin. Kyshawn George, despite shooting only 4-of-16, made a crucial late basket and contributed across the board with 10 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and five steals. The Wizards’ big man, Alex Sarr, made a significant impact on both ends of the floor, setting a Summer League record with eight blocks, alongside 16 points and 12 rebounds. His defensive dominance was a key factor in the Wizards’ 102-96 victory over the Nets.
Summer League head coach Steve Hetzel expressed satisfaction with the Nets’ progress despite the loss, noting improvements in offensive organization and a reduction in turnovers from 21 in their first game to 16 against Washington. "I thought there was a lot of good in this game, in terms of clean-up from game one... We were so much more organized and we got more shot attempts out of it," Hetzel said. The coach’s focus on development and effort reflects the Nets’ long-term vision as they nurture their young core.
Timme’s standout performance has not gone unnoticed beyond the arena. His play earned him a midgame ESPN interview and praise from former NBA center Kendrick Perkins, who tweeted, "Drew Timme should be on some body roster getting quality minutes!!!! And I mean in the rotation heavy." This marks a significant shift in the national perception of Timme, who went undrafted in 2023 and was once doubted as an NBA-caliber player. Timme, known for his humility and focus, welcomed the recognition, saying, "Man, that’s super cool, especially from a guy that’s played that long and been around the block. That’s super cool and that’s what I’m trying to get to. That’s the dream and that’s the goal. That hasn’t quite been the narrative I’d say since I left college, that I can play in the league and deserve a spot or whatever. To kind of see that narrative change, it’s good because you’ve seen what people say about you earlier." His 52 points across two Summer League games, averaging 26 points per game and shooting 62.6 percent from the field, rank him second in scoring at the event and first among players with multiple games played.
The Nets will look to build on these positives as they prepare for their next Summer League matchup against the New York Knicks on Tuesday afternoon, July 15, 2025, with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET. Whether Nolan Traoré returns to the starting lineup remains uncertain, but the team’s young core continues to gain valuable experience and showcase their potential.
For Washington, the victory and individual performances from Tre Johnson and Alex Sarr signal a bright future, while Brooklyn’s young talents, led by Timme’s dazzling display, offer hope and excitement for the rebuilding franchise. The Summer League continues to provide a stage for emerging stars to make their mark, and Sunday night’s game was a prime example of why fans should keep their eyes on these rising NBA hopefuls.
