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It’s all about development. While Long Island Nets beat the Westchester Knicks Wednesday afternoon at Walt Disney World, 123-115, the big story was the continued success of Nets two-way and second round pick, Reggie Perry.
Despite six players finishing in double-figures for Long Island, it was the Reggie Perry Show. The Nets rookie finished with a double-double of a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds to go along with five assists in 31 minutes of play. His strong play earned Perry his third double-double down in the ‘bubble and his fifth-straight 15+ point game. In his five G League games, the Nets rookie is averaging 20/10/5 while shooting better than 50 percent overall and 38 percent from deep.
Here’s some highlights for the 6’9” Mississippi State product.
Moreover, Long Island snapped their three-game losing streak, defeating the Knicks affiliate, 123-115. With the win, the Nets improved to 2-3 on the 15-game regular season. Of the 18 teams in the G League “bubble,” eight will qualify for the G League playoffs which begin March 5. A new G League champion will be crowned March 9 after a single elimination tournament.
Perry wasn’t the only bright spot for the Nets. Long Island’s 6’7” small forward Kaiser Gates finished with a season-high 21 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 29 minutes of play off the bench. B.J. Johnson, who along with Perry has been the Nets most consistent players, contributed 19 points to go along with four rebounds, one assist, and a steal in 31 minutes. Johnson has also recorded 15+ points in five straight games.
Long Island finished the win shooting 53.1 percent overall and 50.0 percent from deep.
As for Westchester, Ignas Brazdeikis, the Knick two-way, had a team-high 24 points in 39 minutes followed by Louis King with 22 points in 37 minutes.
The two teams traded baskets in the first quarter and ended the first quarter tied up at 33. The Nets opened the second quarter playing with high energy and pace, extending their lead 54-46 midway through the second, then finished the first half strong, outscoring Westchester 33-26 in the second heading into halftime with a 66-59 lead.
Following a dominant second, the Knicks regrouped and went on a 19-2 run lasting nearly six minutes in the third, as the Nets trailed, 89-87, heading into the final 12 minutes of play. Despite a rough third, Long Island bounced back as the team put together a 14-4 run to open the fourth and regain the momentum.
Long Island kept their foot on the gas while complementing their flowing offense with key stops defensively to hold on to a seven-point win.
The Nets will be back in action Friday, February 19 when the team takes on the Delaware Blue Coats, the Sixer affiliate, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Paul Reed, the 76ers 6’9” two-way, has been on a tear, averaging 23 and nine to start the season.