Josh Minot played extended minutes for the first time with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. While the Nets were thoroughly embarrassed during their 148-111 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, Minot surprised everyone with his play against his former team.
The trade deadline acquisition was one of Brooklyn's only bright spots, posting nine points and two rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench.
"It's just me trying to play basketball to the best of my ability," Minot said after the game. “Being here I know a little bit about the enemy's tactics, but overall I'm just trying to play as hard as I can for my team, my coaches and trying to play the Brooklyn way.”
Minot showcased his athletic talent and two-way versatility against his former teammates. The 6-foot-8 forward was comfortable making plays off the dribble, breaking down Boston's defense on two possessions, leading to easy Brooklyn buckets. He also threw down a poster dunk over Celtics rookie Hugo Gonzalez early in the game.
Josh Minot looks very comfortable creating bounces. pic.twitter.com/WiPrHfWV3B
- Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 28 February 2026
Josh Minot looks very comfortable creating bounces. pic.twitter.com/WiPrHfWV3B
- Eric Slater (@erikslater_) 28 February 2026
Minot has impressed for the Celtics early this season.
Josh Minot impresses during first extended minutes with Nets after trade from Celtics
The 23-year-old averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.5 minutes per game in his first 27 appearances with Boston. He shot 50.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three on 7.1 attempts per 100 possessions during that span.
However, he fell out of Boston's rotation as the team got healthy. The Celtics salary-dumped Minot to the Nets in exchange for $110,000 at the deadline to get out of the luxury tax.
Minot played three games with Brooklyn's G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, before being called up Thursday. Jordi Fernandez hinted that the fourth-year forward could be in line for an extended NBA audition.
Fernandez said, "He played in Long Island, did a great job. We needed him to be in game shape and I think he took advantage of those minutes and now he's ready to play here. So, very happy with him and trying to help him develop and see what we got." "[Josh is a] Great personality. You can tell he's been a teammate in the group for a long time, the way he's blended in right away. He knew what we were about. I sat down with them in my office, and sometimes you feel like it's going to be a quick conversation, and all of a sudden, we're talking for about 20-30 minutes, and it was cool getting to know these guys. The reality of the NBA, sometimes trades happen, and it can be weird, but it's part of it. And he's done a great job of trying to be a part of it [here] right away."
With the Nets tanking, Minot should continue to see heavy minutes as the season progresses. He has a $2.6 million team option for 2026–27.
