Maxwell Lewis played one minute in the Nets’ 130-113 road loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. He checked in with 3:52 left and quickly knocked down his first attempt, a 27-footer from above the key.
The 22-year-old forward was making his Nets debut after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to Brooklyn on Sunday alongside veteran point guard D’Angelo Russell. It was just his eighth appearance this season and the 42nd of his career.
However, just moments after Lewis scored his first NBA points since Dec. 2, Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl accidentally stepped on his foot while both were transitioning back down the court. Lewis collapsed instantly, then found himself down on the court grabbing his left knee, surrounded by players, coaches and trainers. He could not put any weight on his leg and had to be assisted off the court.
The Nets are calling it a left knee injury. Lewis will not play in Thursday’s road game against the Milwaukee Bucks, and if the injury is as serious as it looked, he could be set to miss extended time.
“The toughest part today is seeing one of our own go down,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “We’re all thinking of Max… We’re sending all positive energy. That’s what’s most important. The rest of the game doesn’t matter right now.”
Lewis was originally selected 40th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft and was dealt to Los Angeles the following day. He played his college ball at Pepperdine, where he earned All-WCC Second Team honors as a sophomore.
“We don’t know the extent of the injury,” Fernandez said. “Obviously we’ll [get an] MRI, but all our group was thinking about him.”
Lewis’ injury, and a third straight loss, spoiled what was otherwise an impressive 2025 Nets debut for Russell. Despite having little practice time with his new team, the 28-year-old finished with 22 points (9-for-13 shooting), two rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal in 26 minutes off the bench. It was his fourth 20-point game of the season.
“I think he was outstanding,” Fernandez said. “His engagement, communication, everything… His court vision, ability to play pick-and-roll, it’s pretty special.”
Ziaire Williams, who has not played since Dec. 1 because of a left knee sprain, will return to the lineup on Thursday in Milwaukee. Williams has averaged 8.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 21 games this season while shooting 40.3% from the field and 27.3% from deep.