The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly set to embark on an intriguing international preseason journey, with a highly anticipated matchup against Israel’s Hapoel Jerusalem slated for the 2025-26 NBA campaign. This exciting news, emerging from reliable sources, signals a proactive move by the Nets to broaden their global presence and competition experience.
Coming off the 2025 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, where the team’s promising rookies gained their initial exposure to professional NBA competition, the preseason fixture against Hapoel Jerusalem offers a crucial next step. While Summer League yielded mixed results for Brooklyn’s four participating rookies, this international exhibition game provides another vital opportunity for player development and evaluation ahead of the demanding regular season.
Basketball News Australia first reported that the Brooklyn Nets will face Hapoel Jerusalem, a prominent professional basketball club based in Jerusalem, Israel, which is a key competitor in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. This specific matchup is reportedly scheduled for October 4, 2025, a date corroborated by league sources who deem the reports “likely accurate,” amplifying anticipation for the contest.
For the Brooklyn Nets, engaging with an Israeli professional team is not entirely unprecedented; they previously squared off against Maccabi Ra’anana during the 2023-24 preseason. However, the upcoming game against Hapoel Jerusalem carries added layers of intrigue and significance, particularly given recent roster additions.
A compelling element making this preseason encounter particularly noteworthy is the Nets’ recent drafting of two players with direct ties to Israel: guard Ben Saraf and forward Danny Wolf. Their presence on the roster adds a unique narrative dimension to the international fixture, resonating deeply with fans and potentially bolstering the team’s international appeal.
Beyond the reported clash with Hapoel Jerusalem, the Brooklyn Nets are poised for even more global exposure. It has been confirmed by the NBA that the Nets, alongside the Phoenix Suns, are scheduled to play two of their 2025 preseason games in Macau, China, at the Venetian Arena, marking a significant return to the region for both the team and the league since 2019.
These extensive international engagements underscore a strategic focus by the Brooklyn Nets on gaining diverse competitive experience before the 2025-26 NBA regular season tips off. With such a robust international preseason slate, the team aims to refine its strategy, integrate new talent, and build cohesion across various competitive environments, setting a strong foundation for the challenges ahead.
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