Decisive wins have not been commonplace for the Long Island Nets this season, but on Thursday night, their season on the line, the G League affiliate did just was needed, defeating the Memphis Hustle, 132-118, before 5,295 Canadian fans in suburban Montreal.
With the win, Long Island is two and a half games out of the post-season with seven to go. Not an easy job, but they’re still in it. And there was news that might make things easier. Killian Hayes has decided to return to Long Island after his 10-day outing with the big club. He was in Montreal Thursday and is expected to play at Place Bell Friday night...
Mike Scotto was first with the news...
Killian Hayes has rejoined the Long Island Nets in the G League after completing his 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. Hayes appeared in six NBA games (five starts) for the Nets, averaging 9.0 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 27.0 minutes per game. pic.twitter.com/JnOvCvOWW3
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 13, 2025
Hayes is still eligible for another 10-day contract between now and the end of the season. In his first 10-day, which the Nets decided against extending, Hayes had games of 16 and 19 points and averaged 9.0 points and 5.2 assists on shooting splits of 42/38/88 in six games.
The game was “Les Nets” fifth and next-to-last “home” game at the Place Bell in Laval, the Montreal suburb. The sixth and final game will take place Friday night. The promotion, in conjunction with Groupe CH, parent of the Montreal Canadiens, is viewed as a success by Nets and their parent, BSE Global.
While it looked like a decisive win for Long Island, it wasn’t without some fireworks at the very end of the game. While Tyson Etienne was running out the clock, he made his way into the paint, which drew Nate Hinton out for a late hit on Etienne.
The hit annoyed Long Island players and coaches alike. So, tempers flared, benches cleared, and both teams and their respective coaches had to be separated by security and officials as the game drew to an end.. Hinton said he thought Etienne was going to go up for the score, which drew him to make the late hit.
However, this was a much-needed victory by both teams, and frustrations were at an all-time high particularly for Memphis who have now lost their last five straight. For Long Island, it was all good news.
Dariq Whitehead picked up 23 points, which led the team in scoring. He had a fantastic game shooting the ball, connecting on nine of his 17 shot attempts. Perhaps more impressive were his numbers from deep, where he landed five of his nine attempts. Whitehead also had five rebounds, two assists, and two steals to his credit. Over his last five games, the 6’7” 20-year-old is shooting 45.9% (17-of-37).
Drew Timme finished with 21 points, continuing his stong play. He connected on nine of his 11 shot attempts, including one out of his two from deep. Timme also flirted with a triple-double, picking up seven rebounds and six assists. He also had one steal and two blocks to round out his impressive day.
Oshae Brissett, the Canadian wing who won a ring with the Celtics last June, had his best game as a Long Island Net by far. He finished with 20 points coming off the bench. The 6’7” 26-year-old drained six of his eight shot attempts, including one of three from deep. Brissett also picked up four rebounds, an assist, and a block.
Terry Roberts, filling in for Hayes, picked up his fourth double-double in his past seven games, including a triple double. He finished with 16 points and 13 assists. He also had four rebounds and four steals. Tyson Etienne, the newest Nets two-way, finished with 18 points, while Tosan Evbuomwan, still on a two-way deal, finished with 17.
Another big positive that came out of today’s game was the announcement of the return of Hayes. Long Island is currently in 10th place in the G League’s Eastern Conference standings but only two games out of the sixth and final playoff spots with seven to go.
The first quarter was a little rocky for Long Island. Despite trying to battle back, Memphis was able to take a nine-point lead into the second. Long Island outscored Memphis, 38-36 in the second to bring themselves to within seven points of Memphis at the half.
Long Island took the lead over Memphis in the third, outscoring Memphis 39-29, ending the quarter up by three. The third quarter was the best quarter for Long Island shooting-wise, as they connected on 58% of their shots, including 66.7% from deep. The Nets put the dagger in this one in the fourth when they once again largely outscored Memphis, 30-19, to win the game by 14.
Oshae Brissett Looks To Get Better Every Single Day
Earlier this year, Long Island picked up Oshae Brissett by giving him a G-League contract. The move was quite the difference for Brissett after having been part of the Boston Celtics NBA championship last year, but he looks to continue making the most of his opportunities, whether here or elsewhere.
Earlier this week, NetsDaily had the chance to speak with Brissett following a Long Island practice. “I just try to get better every single day,” when asked about what he learned in Boston that he was able to take to Long Island with him.
“From the stars on the team, to the guys on the bench, we need to look at every single day like an important day. It doesn’t matter if it’s an off day or if we have an “easy” game coming up; I feel like everyone is locked in from the jump.
While on the Celtics, Brissett played a pivotal role in Game 2 of the NBA Finals last year. He’s the only member of the Long Island Nets with that finals experience and it’s very valuable both to him and Long Island as a whole. “It was pretty clear what was asked of me on that team. Going in there, I just wanted to do what I do, be myself, and that’s exactly what it was,” Brissett tells ND.
“I need to be myself, bring that energy, and get the team together, ultimately being that guy who does all the little things. Also, kind of having the same identity here too. A little bit more. The coaches and the guys allow me to play more on the ball. So, just keeping that and continuing to be myself.”
Brissett had an opportunity to re-sign with the Celtics but declined a $2.5 million player option on June 23, 2024, to go to free agency. He didn’t find a suitor until the Nets signed him to a G League deal.
Looking ahead for Brissett, he just wants to take it “game by game.” One positive Brissett told ND was that “here they allow me to be more on ball and show more of my skillset.” So, every game, I just try to show a little bit more of that and just show that I’m an all-around complete player because ultimately that’s what I strive to be. But like I said, every day just continue to get better.”
Looking ahead for the remainder of the season, Brissett has one goal in mind: “win.” “We’re two games out of the playoff push right now. The schedule coming up is a tough one, but I feel like we can win a lot of those games.”
Next Up
The Long Island Nets (13-14) look to remain in the win column on Friday night as they take on the Memphis Hustle (12-15). This marks the final Long Island home game in Montreal. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on NBA G-League and the Long Island Nets’ respective websites.