Brooklyn Nets sophomore guard Drake Powell could not have imagined a worse start to the 2026 NBA Summer League. Through his first four appearances, the former first-round pick has produced the coldest shooting streak fans can remember.
Powell has scored just 11 total points while shooting 1-28 from the field and 0-14 from three-point range, and those numbers quickly went viral across social media.
For a player who was selected with the No. 22 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, it's been a shocking slump.
Game by game, the numbers tell the story.
Powell started the Summer League against the Sacramento Kings , going 0-9 from the field and 0-6 from three-point range. While he did finish with eight rebounds and two assists, his shot just refused to fall.
His only basket of the tournament came two days later against the Golden State Warriors Blue squad, where he finished 1-8 from the field. That remains his only make across four games.
After moving to Las Vegas, it was more of the same story.
Against the New York Knicks , Powell went 0-7 from the field and 0-3 from three-point range, finishing with just one point from the free-throw line.
His latest outing against the Atlanta Hawks was more of the same story. He finished with four points on 0-4 shooting from the field, with all his points coming from the charity stripe.
The combined totals are almost difficult to believe.
– 11 points
– 1-28 FG (3.5%)
– 0-14 3PT FG (0%)
But before anyone starts going off on the 20-year-old, it's important to remember that this is what Summer League is designed for. Unlike regular-season games, these games are meant for young players to experiment with different areas of their game. And that's why it seems to be happening with Powell.
During his rookie NBA season, he carved out a role as a classic 3-and-D wing. He wasn't asked to create offense off the dribble often. Instead, he was focused on defending multiple positions and knocking down catch-and-shoot chances.
But this Summer League has looked different. Powell has been trying to create his own offense, attack defenders off the bounce, and take difficult shots that he isn't used to.
It clearly hasn't worked. Yet, that doesn't mean the Nets should be concerned. Powell showed plenty of flashes during his rookie season. Appearing in 63 games, he averaged 6.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 21 minutes per game. His numbers rose to 8.0 points per game when he entered the starting lineup.
That's why these Summer League struggles feel so surprising. Powell continues to defend, rebound, and compete with energy. And he's still taking shots, even when they aren't falling, showing his confidence.
There are tons of players who have dominated Summer League only to struggle to make an impact when the regular season starts. And the opposite has also happened plenty of times.
Right now, Powell's shooting streak looks very ugly, but four Summer League games won't define his career.
