EJ Liddell Makes His Case as Long Island Nets Fall to Windy City Bulls
The NBA trade deadline may have passed, but there’s still plenty of movement to watch-especially at the G League level. On Friday night in suburban Chicago, the Long Island Nets dropped a fast-paced, high-scoring battle to the Windy City Bulls, 133-127. But while the loss stung, the performance of a few key players-most notably two-way forward EJ Liddell-offered plenty of intrigue for Brooklyn’s front office.
Liddell Dominates Again
Let’s start with Liddell, who’s looking more and more like a player knocking on the door of a standard NBA contract. The 6’7” forward followed up his 30-point outing on Thursday with another commanding performance-32 points on 10-of-20 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three. That’s back-to-back 30-point games for Liddell, who’s clearly found a rhythm offensively.
But it wasn’t just the scoring. Liddell pulled down 10 rebounds to notch another double-double, added two assists, and swatted away two shots with authority.
His shot-blocking, in particular, has become a real weapon-he’s showing the kind of defensive timing and physicality that can translate to the next level. If Brooklyn is looking for internal help to fill a roster spot, Liddell is making a strong argument to be the next man up.
What About Grant Nelson?
Of course, any move involving Liddell could have a domino effect. Grant Nelson-currently sidelined due to injury management-remains a name to watch. The 7-footer out of Alabama has looked solid since returning from a seven-week knee rehab, and he’s widely viewed as a frontrunner to slide into a two-way slot if Liddell gets elevated.
Brooklyn has options. Promoting from within is something the organization has done in recent years, but it’s not the only path.
They can sign free agents, pick up waived players, or go after other G League talent. The decision on who fills that final roster spot could come down to timing, fit, and who’s ready to contribute right now.
Malachi Smith Nearly Triple-Doubles
Another bright spot for Long Island was Malachi Smith, who continues to show off his all-around game. The 6’4” combo guard poured in 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting while nearly posting a triple-double-adding nine rebounds and eight assists.
That kind of stat line speaks to his versatility and poise. The only blemish?
Four turnovers, which stood out in an otherwise sharp performance.
Smith, who won a high school state championship in Illinois alongside Liddell, has been a steady presence for Long Island and is quietly building a case for more attention beyond the G League.
Nate Williams Struggles From Deep
Nate Williams has been another name floated in two-way contract discussions, and while he brought energy and effort, Friday wasn’t his best shooting night. Williams finished with 16 points but hit just 5-of-18 from the field and missed all seven of his three-point attempts.
Still, he contributed in other ways-seven rebounds, three assists, and zero turnovers. One off night from the perimeter isn’t likely to derail his chances entirely, but it does raise the question: do you go with the younger upside, or the more NBA-ready option? That debate may ultimately decide who gets the nod between Williams, Nelson, and others.
Tyson Etienne Heats Up Late
Tyson Etienne, one of Brooklyn’s two-way players, had a tale of two halves. After going scoreless through the first two quarters, he caught fire in the third-dropping 15 points and hitting four threes to help Long Island regain control.
He shot 50% from the field overall and added a rebound and a steal. Etienne’s ability to get hot quickly is a valuable trait, especially for a team looking to swing momentum in short bursts.
Mixed Night for Chaney Johnson
Chaney Johnson, the third two-way player on Long Island’s roster, had a bit of everything in this one. He scored 12 points off the bench-leading all reserves-but struggled with efficiency, going just 2-of-7 from the field.
Still, he filled the stat sheet with five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block. Johnson’s versatility is evident, even if the shooting wasn’t there Friday night.
David Muoka Makes Franchise History
A special shoutout goes to David Muoka, who etched his name into the Long Island Nets record books. With another block on Friday, Muoka became the franchise’s all-time leader in blocks, passing Kamari Murphy with 74. It’s a testament to his consistency as a rim protector and defensive anchor.
Game Flow: Fast Start, Rough Finish
Long Island came out firing, capitalizing on Windy City’s early shooting struggles (just 36% in the first quarter) to build an 11-point lead. But the Bulls clawed back in the second, trimming the deficit to just two at halftime.
Etienne’s third-quarter explosion helped the Nets push the lead back into double digits, but the fourth belonged to Windy City. Yuki Kawamura, the 5’7” two-way guard and the NBA’s shortest active player, sparked the comeback with 11 points in the final frame. Caleb Grill followed with back-to-back threes-including the go-ahead bucket-and Mac McClung and Mouhamadou Gueye sealed it with a layup and an alley-oop slam, respectively.
What’s Next
The Long Island Nets (11-8) aren’t done with their road trip just yet. They head north to Montreal for a Sunday matinee at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec, where they’ll face the Noblesville Boom.
Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. EST and will be available on the NBA G League site and the Gotham Sports app.
With the trade deadline behind us and roster spots still in flux, performances like Liddell’s and Smith’s are more than just good games-they’re auditions. And right now, a few Long Island Nets are making a strong case that they deserve a shot at the next level.