Mikel Brown Jr. missed out on the Nets’ first win of the season Sunday in Indiana, sitting as half of the workforce’s plan to handle the back harm that pressured him to miss 14 video games during his lone season at Louisville.
His return Monday — and his Madison Square Garden debut — didn’t go as he envisioned.
Brooklyn Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After contributing 13 factors on 5-for-9 capturing to give the Nets the lead getting into the fourth quarter, the No. 6 total choose fell aside in the remaining quarter of the 103-90 loss, lacking each of the 4 3-pointers he took while failing to attack the rim.
“I think Mikel’s a rock star,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “He’s gonna keep taking steps. And right now, we always want him to be aggressive, but he has the responsibility to run the team, and that’s a big deal. And you have to communicate. … Every shot that is good, every shot that is not good, it falls a little bit on you, right?”
Brooklyn Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) brings the ball up court docket against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, in New York. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Brown, who completed 1-for-8 on 3-pointers, is now capturing 31.6 % from the area through his first 5 video games with the Nets.
“I’m still growing and developing and learning,” Brown said. “I’m doing what I love every single night, and to be able to play in this type of environment, I’m just extremely blessed.”
The Garden didn’t overlook.
Randle acquired cheers during the pregame introduction in his first recreation back in Manhattan since becoming a member of the Nets. Randle not only revived his profession during his 5 seasons with the Knicks — incomes two All-NBA choices and three All-Star Game choices during his tenure — he returned the Knicks to relevance by main the franchise to its first playoff look in eight years, prior to Jalen Brunson’s arrival.
Randle, who with the Timberwolves had made two journeys to the Garden after they acquired him in the deal that despatched Karl-Anthony Towns here, completed with 21 factors and 13 rebounds on 5-for-16 capturing.
“[It was] amazing, man,” Randle said. “I got a lot of love for the city, for the fans, had a lot of great memories here with the team, with my family. It was a big part of my life and my career, and [I’m] super appreciative of it.”
Egor Dëmin missed his third straight recreation with a proper leg bone bruise.