Overview

• Brooklyn hosts Hapoel Jerusalem on Saturday at Barclays Center to launch the 2025 preseason, facing a seasoned club with recent domestic success and EuroCup experience.
• Rookies Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf are expected to make their first Nets appearances, giving Brooklyn the NBA’s first roster with two Israeli players and adding personal significance against familiar opponents.
• Both players said they plan to focus on basketball during their debuts, with Wolf emphasizing that outside demonstrations are beyond their control.
• Security expects some demonstrations near the arena as the conflict continues, with coverage noting a recent UN Human Rights Commission genocide finding and discussion of potential sporting bans on Israeli teams; political protests remain prohibited inside.
• Brooklyn will be without rookie Drake Powell due to knee tendinopathy, while lottery pick Egor Demin continues to progress toward contact as the team looks ahead to the NBA China Games in Macau on Oct. 10 and 12.