Preview: Wisconsin Herd at Long Island Nets

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The surging Long Island Nets host the struggling Wisconsin Herd in a G League matchup on Thursday night at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Long Island (10-9) enters on a two-game winning streak and has won three of its last four, most recently a 119-115 victory over San Diego on Sunday. The Nets have found consistency at home, where they have won three straight.

Wisconsin (6-14) snapped a three-game skid with a 116-98 home win over College Park on Monday. The victory was just the Herd’s second in their last nine contests. They face a challenge on the road, where they are 3-7 this season.

A key matchup will feature two of the league’s top forwards. Long Island is led by center E.J. Liddell, who is averaging 24.3 points and 10.0 rebounds over his last four games. He scored 26 points with eight rebounds in Sunday’s win.

Wisconsin will counter with Pete Nance, who is coming off a dominant 29-point, 11-rebound performance Monday. Over his last three games, the forward is averaging 20.0 points and 8.7 rebounds.

The Nets won the teams’ only meeting last season, 127-117, on March 17, 2025. Long Island’s balanced attack that night saw seven players score in double figures.

For Wisconsin to pull the upset, they will need continued production from Nance and guards Cormac Ryan and Mark Sears, who combined for 68 points in Monday’s win. Containing Liddell and limiting second-chance opportunities will be critical for a Herd defense that allows 113.2 points per game.

Long Island’s offense, averaging 117.6 points, will test that defense. Beyond Liddell, forwards Chaney Johnson and Jeenathan Williams provide scoring punch, each posting 20-point games in the recent win over San Diego.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The teams will meet again at the same venue Friday night.