Nets' Dariq Whitehead still shaking off rust after January surgery

LAS VEGAS — Dariq Whitehead entered NBA Summer League excited to play after shin surgery in January. The Nets made things easier by tempering expectations.

But Whitehead’s first taste of basketball in Las Vegas was like a mixed drink. Sweet in a sense that he’s played without minutes limits but sour because of missed shots and his leg not yet at full strength.

Through three games, the second-year forward is shooting 4-for-34 from the field. Whitehead was 0-for-10 on Tuesday, including 0-for-8 on threes, during the Nets’ 92-85 win over the Knicks at Thomas & Mack Center.

Frustration has started to set in. After Whitehead missed a three-pointer in the third quarter, he yelled at himself and clenched his fists. For someone who has mostly showed a positive attitude, the lapse is a reminder of how tough the road back can be.

“I just don't want to hang my head on making shots and missing shots right now because I want to make sure I work through things,” Whitehead said Sunday. “I know once I get going and get fully with my legs back under me I'm going to make shots. That's what I do.”

General manager Sean Marks said the team was tempering expectations on Whitehead after his third procedure since August 2022. The shin surgery six months ago followed foot surgeries before and after his lone year at Duke.

It’s understandable that Whitehead came out rusty. He missed his first eight shots both and Friday and Sunday. He finished 1-for-12 in the Nets’ opener, including missing an open fast break layup that he initially tried to dunk.

Sunday was slightly better with Whitehead scoring 10 points, including an eight-point fourth quarter. But his long-distance shooting, something that he was known for coming out of Duke, has been off target.

Whitehead is just 2-21 on three-pointers and his only two makes came Sunday. He’s been confident shooting when open but the misses took a toll and he played just three minutes in the second half Tuesday.

As difficult as it’s been, Whitehead tried to stay hopeful that he could still be the player he was at Duke and even coming out of high school as a five-star recruit.

“My pedigree was I was known for someone who was making those type of shots on a daily basis,” he said after shooting 3-for-4 in the fourth quarter Sunday. “So now just getting more consistent with it. I feel like that's my main thing right now."

The Nets also aren’t putting pressure on their former first-round pick. Marks wanted Whitehead to focus on getting game reps and trusting his body.

It’s the same message that Nets Summer League coach Steve Hetzel has told Whitehead every game. Play hard, get shots up and contribute no matter if you make or miss.

"He’s had a tough journey being out as long as he has and I don’t think any of us can know what he’s going through,” Hetzel said. “It’s our job to just keep encouraging him, put him back out there and have him play as hard as he can the next year.”

Whitehead has shown some good signs on the defensive end. He had three steals on Friday and noted afterward that it was the most comfortable he felt moving laterally trying to defend opponents.

On Tuesday, he didn’t start the second half but when he checked in with 3:25 left in the period, he had a steal a few seconds later that started a Nets fast break.

Those are plays that can be confidence boosters. The Nets certainly would love for Whitehead to find his shot but in the meantime, they’re happy he’s just playing again.

For Whitehead, that’s keeping him positive even as the missed shots have disappointed him.

“Last year, I was here on the boot and stuck on crutches,” he said. “So just being able to be out there with the guys and not watching them is a huge blessing for me.”

Nets rally past Knicks for Summer League win

The Nets trailed by 21 points in the second quarter against the Knicks but rallied to improve to 2-1 in Las Vegas. Jalen Wilson had a game-high 27 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and shot for 5-for-10 on three pointers.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.