Brooklyn Nets Outpace Milwaukee Bucks 89-69 in Sacramento Summer League

In a Saturday night showdown at Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, the Brooklyn Nets rolled past the Milwaukee Bucks 89‑69, setting a firm tone for the California Classic.

The first ten minutes were a tense back‑and‑forth, with both squads combining for 53 points. Brooklyn edged out a 29‑24 lead by the end of the opening period, but the decisive swing came in the second quarter. The Nets exploded for 27‑12, never allowing the Bucks to close the gap.

Even as Milwaukee fought hard in the second half, the 18‑point deficit proved too large to overcome. The Bucks’ late surge was insufficient, and the Nets maintained control for the remainder of the game.

Brooklyn’s offense was led by Hunter Sallis and Ben Humrichous, each scoring 15 points. Sallis also contributed six rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, while Humrichous added eight boards. Duke Brennan posted a double‑double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Dwight Murray Jr. finished with 14 points and four turnovers, and Dain Dainja chipped in 10 points off the bench.

Brooklyn shot 44.9 % from the field (35‑78) and 44.8 % from beyond the arc (13‑29). Milwaukee’s top scorer was Brandon Boston, who posted 18 points in 28 minutes. Kobe Stewart added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Zack Austin contributed 11 points, though he shot 4‑12 from the floor. The Bucks managed only 32.4 % from the field (27‑74) and 37.9 % from three‑point range (11‑29).

Both rosters were missing key prospects. Brooklyn’s first‑round pick, Mikel Brown Jr., did not play, and Milwaukee’s two lottery selections, Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, were also absent. Team officials noted the absence, but the remaining squads were able to showcase depth.

The California Classic is one of several summer tournaments that make up the NBA Summer League. While the primary league takes place in Las Vegas, the Classic is hosted in Sacramento and has been held there since 2018. The 2026 schedule, announced by the NBA, includes games in both locations and provides teams with a chance to evaluate rookies, sophomores and G‑League affiliates.

Both teams will return to the court on Monday. The Nets will face the Golden State Warriors Blue at 8 p.m. ET, while the Bucks will play the Sacramento Kings at 10 p.m. ET, both games scheduled at Golden 1 Center. The outcomes of those matchups will influence the standings in the California Classic and determine which teams advance to the final rounds.

Brooklyn’s victory demonstrates the effectiveness of their young core and the coaching staff’s ability to manage a summer roster. For the Bucks, the loss highlights the challenges of competing against teams that can generate high‑percentage shooting and maintain momentum after a slow start.

As the 2026 NBA Summer League progresses, teams will continue to refine lineups and assess talent ahead of the upcoming regular season. The California Classic remains a key venue for players to prove themselves and for fans in California to witness the next generation of NBA talent.