Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from 86-80 loss to Orlando Magic

Brooklyn Nets, NBA Summer League — LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 6: Shawn Dawson #18 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 6, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Brooklyn Nets opened Summer League play Friday in Las Vegas, going without some of their higher-profile performance in an 86-80 loss to the Orlando Magic. Here are 3 takeaways from the game.

The Brooklyn Nets on Friday looked like the Brooklyn Nets we’ve seen the last couple of seasons, competitive, scrappy, but ultimately undermanned. Playing without several higher-profile performancers, the Nets lost their Summer League opener to the Orlando Magic, 86-80.

Going into the game, the Nets were sitting draft picks Dzanan Musa (not expected to play in Las Vegas) and Rodions Kurucs, as well as young veterans Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, long-time draft-and-stash player Juan Pablo Vaulet and Chinese import Ding Yanyuhang.

The news about Ding was the most disappointing, as he returned to China and will not play in the Summer League.

Ding is gone home. Will not play #NBASummerLeague with the #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) July 6, 2018

Lewis had reported earlier Friday there was some confusion about Ding’s status for Vegas, with him practicing Thursday with the team amid reports from China that the two-time Chinese Basketball Association domestic MVP had been ruled out because of a right knee injury.

Musa and Kurucs didn’t play because they can’t yet.

According to the #Nets, no buyout deals have been finalized yet for Musa or Kurucs. Neither can suit up until that's done. (The former wasn't expected to play in #NBASummerLeague anyway).
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) July 6, 2018

Vaulet’s problem was a foot he injured in practice on Thursday.

Vaulet will not play today vs the #Magic. He got hurt yesterday in practice. It's a foot, not the ankle he had surgery on. #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) July 6, 2018

LeVert and Allen, meanwhile, were simply held out of Friday’s game.

The plan is still for Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen to play in #nbasummerleague. Both are on the #Nets bench today, but neither are expected to play vs. the #Magic.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) July 6, 2018

So with a trimmed-down roster, the Nets got to take a look at some of their undrafted rookies and international imports.

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Brooklyn jumped out to an early 10-point lead, but Orlando got strong performances from second-year big man Jonathan Isaac and G-League standout Troy Caupain, who scored 20 points apiece.

No. 6 overall pick Mohamed Bamba had his moments, as well, scoring 11 points in 19 minutes to go with seven rebounds and a blocked shot on 5-of-8 shooting, including 1-of-2 from deep.

Israeli import Shawn Dawson led the Nets with 20 points in just 18 minutes on 8-of-18 shooting and was 1-for-5 from long range and 3-for-6 at the line. Tyler Davis was the only other Net in double figures with 13 points.

James Webb had eight rebounds, Semaj Christon dished out four assists and Yuta Watanabe had a pair of blocked shots.

Brooklyn (0-1) showed grit, but were undone by 16 turnovers and 29-for-77 shooting (37.7 percent). The Magic hit 45 percent (36-for-80), but the Nets hung around thanks to better touch from the 3-point line, hitting 11-of-29 (37.9 percent) to just 3-for-19 (15.8 percent) for Orlando.

The Nets come back on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (0-1) at Cox Pavilion. The Thunder lost to the Charlotte Hornets 88-87 on Friday.

Here are three takeaways from Friday’s contest: