BROOKLYN, New York — Former North Dakota State star Grant Nelson made an even bigger impression in his second NBA game than he did in his first.
Two days after making his NBA debut by scoring 3 points in 11 minutes against the Boston Celtics,
Nelson had 11 points, four rebounds, three blocks and an assist on Sunday, March 1, for the Brooklyn Nets in a 106-102 home loss to Cleveland at the Barclays Center.
Listed as a 7-foot forward, Nelson played for NDSU from 2020-23 before transferring to Alabama for his final two college seasons.
Nelson, who graduated from Devils Lake High School, was the first player off the bench for Brooklyn.
He signed a 10-day contract Friday
after being called up from Brooklyn’s G-League affiliate on Long Island.
“He’s familiar with what we’re doing and he’s just a very good basketball player, high IQ, he’s got a great feel for the game, and plays extremely hard,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said in his postgame press conference. “So, you put all those things together, and you know he’s played very well in the two chances.”
Mar 1, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Grant Nelson (16) takes a jump shot in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Wendell Cruz/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Nelson and fellow rookie Danny Wolf, the team’s first-round draft pick in 2025, led a Nets surge in the first period, when they combined for 14 points, two steals and two assists. Nelson had two fast-break dunks that made the rounds on social media.
After getting throttled 148-111 by the Celtics in Boston on Friday night, the Nets (15-45) had a chance to tie the Cavaliers (38-24) late in the game but couldn’t capitalize as they lost their eighth straight game.
Per Brooklyn’s media relations:
— With 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and three blocks, Nelson become the first player in franchise history to 10+ points, 5+ assists and 5+ blocks across their first two career games.
— Nelson became the second Net to record multiple blocks in consecutive games to begin their career (Brook Lopez, three straight in 2008) and the second Net with 5+ blocks through two career games (Jarrett Allen, 2007).
The Nets play at Miami on Tuesday night.
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