Nickel’s Summer League Performance
Tyler Nickel, a rookie for the New York Knicks, made a notable debut in the NBA Summer League opener against the Brooklyn Nets. During the game, veteran forward Josh Hart posted a message on X, stating, “55 got a chop,” in reference to Nickel’s jersey number and his shooting ability.
Nickel, who was the No. 47 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, delivered a strong performance despite the Knicks’ 91-65 loss to the Nets. He finished the game with 18 points and four rebounds in 22 minutes of play. His shooting was particularly impressive, as he made 6-of-11 attempts from the field and 6-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc. All of his points in the game came from three-point shots.
The rookie’s perimeter shooting stood out, especially when compared to his teammates. Nickel connected on 60% of his three-point attempts, while the rest of the Knicks’ roster combined to shoot just 3-of-29 from long range. He was the team’s second-leading scorer, trailing only Pacome Dadiet, who recorded 20 points and seven rebounds.
Nickel’s best stretch occurred in the fourth quarter, where he successfully drilled all three of his attempts from deep. This performance highlighted the elite perimeter shooting that made him a top marksman in the 2026 NBA Draft and one of college basketball’s premier floor spacers during his senior season at Vanderbilt, where he made 40% of his three-point attempts.
Veteran Endorsement and Roster Prospects
The in-game endorsement from Josh Hart, a veteran forward, came as Nickel’s hot shooting was unfolding. This public praise from a team leader, even before the game concluded, is considered an encouraging first step for the second-round pick. Hart’s social media post reflected the excitement surrounding Nickel’s performance in real time.
The Knicks selected the 6-foot-7 wing with the hope that his shooting could eventually complement their veteran roster. Friday’s game offered an encouraging initial glimpse of this potential. Kristian Winfield suggested that Nickel could become a strong candidate for one of the organization’s remaining two-way contract spots, especially given the Knicks’ operational status beneath the second apron and their limited roster flexibility.
Breaking into the regular-season rotation for coach Mike Brown, whose team are the defending NBA champions, will be challenging due to the returning roster. However, Brown has shown in the past that players who consistently perform and embrace their roles can earn opportunities regardless of their draft status.
Beyond his on-court performance, Nickel has also made an impression off the court. According to James L. Edwards III, Knicks Summer League coach T.J. Saint was particularly impressed with Nickel’s defense. Saint also noted that he observed the rookie studying the playbook at the airport, a detail that underscored Nickel’s preparation and professionalism even before the Summer League began. These habits, combined with his shooting ability, could help him secure a path with the New York team.
The Brooklyn Nets, Nickel’s opponents in this game, also featured impressive talent in their Summer League roster. Tyler Bilodeau, a second-round rookie and two-way player for the Nets, showcased his three-point shooting, making 46.4% of his attempts at UCLA last season. In two Summer League games, Bilodeau averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 26 minutes per game, converting 58.3% of his three-point attempts, including four triples in the first half of the California Classic final game.
The Nets’ Summer League roster included other notable players such as Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr., who also made strong impressions. Dëmin led the Nets with 23 points and 7.5 assists across two games in Salt Lake City, while Brown Jr. finished with 10 points and four dimes in his sole appearance. The Nets also welcomed back all four of last year’s first-round selections: Dëmin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Danny Wolf, each of whom averaged at least 20 minutes and played 44+ games. Chainey Johnson, a two-way player, also saw NBA run last year and was with the team for action in Las Vegas.
The Brooklyn Nets were considered favorites for the Summer League game against the Knicks due to their deep roster and recent experience. The game was played in Las Vegas, NV, at the Thomas & Mack Center/Pavilion, with a tip-off time of 6:00 PM ET on Friday, July 10.
One Summer League game does not guarantee a roster spot or regular-season minutes for Nickel, but the early endorsement from a veteran like Hart and his performance suggest a promising start for the rookie.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
