E. J. Liddell made his first start of the season Sunday against the Wizards and delivered a steady showing in Brooklyn’s 121-115 victory over Washington. In 30 minutes, he finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. The start came as Brooklyn remained thin in its frontcourt, and Liddell handled the opportunity with efficiency.
First Start Brings Immediate Production
Liddell’s line stood out because it came in his first start of the campaign, and it gave the Nets a useful boost in a game that stayed tight through the final margin. He shot 5-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-2 from three-point range, and added 3-for-4 at the free-throw line. The performance marked a season-high 15 points and showed how quickly he can contribute when given extended run.
Brooklyn entered Sunday with limited options up front, and that context framed the decision to move Liddell into the starting group. With the team short on bodies in the frontcourt, his role became even more important, and the minutes followed. In that setting, E. J. Liddell looked comfortable enough to give the club immediate value on both ends of the floor.
What the Numbers Say
Across the season, Liddell has posted per-36-minute averages of 9. 8 points, 7. 1 rebounds, 2. 7 assists, 1. 2 three-pointers and 1. 4 blocks per game. Those figures help explain why the opportunity mattered Sunday: he has shown enough across the stat sheet to suggest he can fill several needs when his workload rises.
His production in the win over Washington also added a strong point of reference for Brooklyn’s remaining stretch. The result came with the Nets relying on a thinner frontcourt, and Liddell’s efficient scoring, rebounding and defensive activity fit the moment.
Immediate Impact and Team Context
The most important detail from Sunday was not just the points total, but the way Liddell filled multiple categories in one of the team’s more constrained lineup situations. The 30-minute workload suggests trust from the coaching staff, while the final score shows the game remained competitive enough for that role to matter throughout the night.
With Brooklyn still short-handed in the frontcourt, E. J. Liddell may stay in line for a meaningful role over the final four games of the regular season. That makes his first start a notable development, especially after he turned it into a season-best scoring night.
What Comes Next
The next stretch will show whether this was a one-game opportunity or the start of a larger run in the rotation. For now, the message is clear: when Brooklyn needed help inside, E. J. Liddell answered with a productive start and a stat line that held up in a win.
