Brooklyn’s Patience with Highsmith, Wolf’s Emergence, and a Tougher Road Ahead
The Brooklyn Nets are still waiting to see Haywood Highsmith suit up for the first time, but that hasn’t stopped the veteran forward from making an impact. While the right knee injury that’s delayed his debut continues to keep him out of full-contact work, Highsmith has remained a steady presence behind the scenes - and that’s not going unnoticed.
Head coach Jordi Fernández offered an update ahead of Thursday night’s matchup with the Miami Heat, noting that Highsmith is progressing, but still hasn’t been cleared for five-on-five or contact drills. The focus, for now, is on building up gradually - no shortcuts, no rushing.
“Yeah, he’s in a good place,” Fernández said. “He shows up every day and does his job, is an ultimate pro.”
Highsmith’s rehab has been more than just physical. He’s been active on the court with coaches, staying engaged in practice settings and team meetings. While he’s not yet cutting or going through defensive closeouts, he’s still finding ways to lead - especially for a young Nets roster still finding its identity.
“The most important thing to me is his veteran leadership,” Fernández added. “And how important he is to the rest of the group, especially the young guys.”
For a team leaning heavily on development, Highsmith’s steady hand has become a valuable asset - even if it’s coming in sweatpants rather than a jersey for now.
Danny Wolf: From Question Mark to Trusted Contributor
When the Nets drafted Danny Wolf, there were questions - not inside the organization, but certainly around the league. Could he shoot consistently at the NBA level?
Could he defend? Through his first 11 games, the rookie big is answering those questions with confidence.
“I didn’t have those questions,” Fernández said bluntly. “We drafted him, we love him, we believe in him.”
And so far, Wolf’s play has justified that belief. He’s shooting a scorching 40.5% from beyond the arc, and more importantly, he’s doing it within the flow of the offense - no over-dribbling, no hero-ball.
On defense, he’s been surprisingly effective at the point of attack, keeping the ball in front and staying disciplined without racking up fouls. His 98.5 defensive rating speaks to that impact.
There’s still plenty of room to grow, especially when it comes to playmaking. Fernández pointed to Wolf’s assist-to-turnover numbers as an area the staff is watching closely. But what’s already standing out is how comfortable he looks playing within his role - a rare trait for a rookie big.
“He’s not trying to do too much,” Fernández said. “He’s trying to do whatever it takes to help the team win and compete for games. And that’s what I really respect about Danny - very good teammate.”
In a league where young players often press to prove themselves, Wolf’s poise has been a welcome surprise.
A New Test Ahead
The Nets’ recent 4-2 stretch gave them some positive momentum, but things are about to get real. After wins over the Bucks, Hornets, Bulls, and Pelicans, Brooklyn now enters a much tougher stretch - starting with Thursday’s game against Miami and continuing with matchups against the Raptors, Sixers, Timberwolves, Warriors, and Rockets.
“Right now, we start a new stretch of five games,” Fernández said. “It starts tonight at home and finding a way to compete for four quarters, get better.”
The message is clear: stay competitive, stay connected, and keep building. Even in wins, the Nets have shown they’re still figuring things out - from rotation decisions to late-game execution. But Fernández is focused on growth, not perfection.
“This is the best league in the world,” he said. “All these teams are very good. It doesn’t matter where they are right now - all those players are very special.”
The goal for this next stretch? A 3-2 record or better. That’s a tall order, but one that speaks to how Brooklyn is approaching this season: not just surviving tough games, but learning how to win them.
With Highsmith’s leadership off the floor, Wolf’s emergence on it, and a challenging slate ahead, the Nets are entering a critical stretch - one that could reveal just how far this young group has come, and how much further they can go.