California Classic· Season 2026
Brooklyn Nets beat Milwaukee Bucks 89-69 in California Classic Summer League action behind 15 points each from Ben Humrichous and Hunter Sallis, plus a stifling defence that held the Bucks to 32.4% shooting.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Brooklyn came out with pace-and-space intent. After a brief early Bucks lead — Zack Austin opened the scoring with a two-hand jam and added a putback on the next possession — the Nets found their rhythm from deep. Ben Humrichous knocked down 2-of-3 from 3-point range in the first quarter alone, and the Nets closed the period on a run to lead 29-24.
The second quarter belonged entirely to Brooklyn. They shot 10-for-17 (58.8%) from 3-point range in the half, built a 15-3 advantage in fast-break points, and posted 13 assists on 22 made field goals. Nets led 56-36 at the break, the game effectively decided.
Hunter Sallis (15 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast) and Dwight Murray Jr. (12 pts) maintained the offensive flow in the third quarter, while the Nets' pressure defence held Milwaukee to 32.8% shooting through three periods. Brooklyn led 72-54 entering the fourth.
Brandon Boston Jr. posted 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting for the Bucks, his second strong offensive outing of the Classic after scoring 17 on Saturday. But Milwaukee had no answer for Brooklyn's perimeter attack or defensive intensity, shooting just 32.4% from the field for the game.
The turning point
The game tilted decisively in the final five minutes of the second quarter. Brooklyn turned a tight contest into a 20-point halftime lead by running in transition off Bucks misses. The Nets' 15-3 fast-break advantage and 58.8% 3-point shooting in the half created a deficit Milwaukee never threatened after the interval.
Key performers
Ben Humrichous (Nets) — 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 three-pointers, 2 steals. The 6-foot-9 Illinois product shot efficiently from deep and grabbed four offensive boards, providing both floor spacing and second-chance energy.
Hunter Sallis (Nets) — 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists. The former Wake Forest guard ran the offence effectively, creating for others while scoring efficiently. Sallis played seven games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2025-26.
Brandon Boston Jr. (Bucks) — 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting. The veteran NBA guard was Milwaukee's lone consistent offensive threat, scoring in double figures for the second straight game.
John Butler Jr. (Nets) — 4 blocks. The 7-footer with a 7-3 wingspan patrolled the paint, altering shots and deterring drives. He averaged 1.7 bpg for the Wisconsin Herd in the G League last season.
By the numbers — interpreted
Brooklyn's 58.8% 3-point shooting in the first half (10-for-17) was the statistical foundation of the win. That efficiency opened driving lanes and created a 15-3 fast-break points edge. On the other end, the Nets held Milwaukee to 32.4% field-goal shooting — a product of Butler Jr.'s rim protection (4 blocks) and aggressive perimeter switching that forced the Bucks into contested jumpers. The final margin reflected the disparity: Brooklyn's 89 points came on 22 assists, while Milwaukee never found an offensive flow.
What it means
Brooklyn split its two California Classic games (1-1), bouncing back from Saturday's 79-76 loss to the Kings. The Nets head to Las Vegas Summer League next, facing the New York Knicks on July 10. Milwaukee also sits at 1-1 after beating Warriors Blue on Saturday before Sunday's loss. The Bucks continue their California Classic schedule against the Warriors on July 7 before Vegas.
Verdict
A clinical, wire-to-wire performance from Brooklyn. The Nets' space-and-pace offence and defensive pressure overwhelmed a Bucks squad that lacked the perimeter shooting to keep pace. Summer-league margins warrant caution, but Brooklyn's ball movement (22 assists) and Humrichous's floor-spacing are legitimate takeaways as they head to Las Vegas.
Rivalry since 2015
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Head to Head Results· 50
Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets have met 50 times — Milwaukee Bucks won 32, Brooklyn Nets won 18, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2015. Milwaukee Bucks leads the head-to-head with 32 victories from 50 meetings. A combined 10946 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 218.92 per match (5541 for the home side, 5405 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 50 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 50 games (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 122–144 in 2023.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 6 Jul 2026