Nolan Traoré scores 17 points for Nets against Wizards

Nolan Traoré put up 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting in roughly 20 minutes against the Washington Wizards, showcasing the explosive first step and perimeter efficiency that have made the 20-year-old guard a notable presence in Brooklyn’s preseason rotation, sport.fr reported.

Brooklyn’s Preseason Backcourt Competition Intensifies

Traoré’s performance on Monday night helped the Nets secure a 131-122 victory to improve to 3-0 in the preseason, according to reporting by the Daily News. The second-year guard scored 13 of his points in his first 10 minutes off the bench, attacking Washington both at the rim and from beyond the arc. He finished 2-of-4 from 3-point range, underlining a growing comfort from distance that complements his natural driving ability. Yeah, offensively he was elite. I mean, he touches the paint almost whenever he wants and he’s been very efficient, head coach Jordi Fernández said postgame.

Roster Squeezes and Rotation Realities for Young Guards

Despite averaging 13 points while shooting 65% overall and 57.1% from 3-point range across three preseason games, Traoré faces an intense battle for regular playing time. General manager Sean Marks established at Media Day that playing time must be earned regardless of age, and Brooklyn’s status as the NBA’s youngest team means several prospects are vying for the same backcourt minutes. Egor Dëmin currently handles the starting point guard duties, while rookie Mikel Brown Jr. and Ben Saraf also demand minutes as the team’s depth chart remains unsettled.

Offseason Skill Development Fuels Offensive Efficiency

Traoré spent much of the summer working in the gym to add strength and refine a jumper that began to show progress late in his rookie season. At Media Day, the young guard emphasized simple adjustments to his shooting form to ensure a repeatable release. Fernández pointed to the specific efforts of shooting coach Dave Love and assistant coach Corey Vinson in helping Traoré maintain aggression from the perimeter. That perimeter threat, paired with a transition pace that allows him to get into the lane at will, has given Brooklyn’s second unit a reliable offensive engine alongside reserves like Drake Powell, Noah Clowney, Chaney Johnson, and Moe Wagner.