24 Shots for 37 Points! Goodbye, Cui Yongxi—Meet the Real Starting Forward

Cui Yongxi’s much-anticipated debut for the Long Island Nets in the NBA G League ended on a sour note, with the young forward struggling to find his rhythm in a blowout win. While the Nets cruised to a 128-112 victory over Raptors 905, Cui’s performance raised more questions than answers about his readiness for the professional level.

In his 16 minutes of play off the bench, Cui managed just 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting, with his lone bucket coming from a fast-break three-pointer. He added only 1 rebound and 1 block, finishing with a plus-minus of -6, one of the lowest on the team. Comparisons to other young stars in similar situations made his struggles all the more glaring.

A Rough Start

Cui’s difficulties were evident from the start. In the first half, he logged 9 minutes but failed to score on three attempts, all of which were isolation plays. As observers noted, one-on-one scoring is far from Cui’s strong suit at this stage of his career. His offensive style relies more on off-ball movement and quick decision-making, not the kind of creation-heavy plays he attempted.

His first and only points came in the third quarter—a fast-break three-pointer. The transition play highlighted what could be his niche: finding opportunities without the ball and capitalizing on chaos. Yet, after this lone basket, Cui faded into the background, with few opportunities to contribute offensively.

Adding a bit of fire to an otherwise quiet night, Cui exchanged words with Raptors 905 forward Charlie Brown Jr. after a heated moment on the court. Reportedly, the scuffle stemmed from Brown blocking one of Cui’s shots, igniting a verbal spat. While Cui’s competitiveness is commendable, it’s clear that he’ll need more than bravado to make a mark in this league.

Comparisons That Sting

For context, two other young players making waves in the G League this season have already outshined Cui.

• Bronny James, in his G League debut, started and logged 31 minutes, finishing with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block on 2-of-9 shooting.
• Yuki Kawamura, another international talent, started and played 30 minutes, tallying 7 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal on 3-of-12 shooting.

Though neither had stellar shooting nights, their all-around impact on the game and ability to contribute in multiple areas stood in stark contrast to Cui’s limited influence.

Making matters worse was the performance of Cui’s direct competition: Tyler Lawson, the Long Island Nets’ starting small forward. Lawson erupted for 37 points on 24 shots, adding 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. His commanding presence on the floor solidified his role as the team’s focal point, leaving little room for Cui to stake a claim.

Lawson, a former NBA journeyman born in 2000, has already played 57 NBA games with the Timberwolves and Mavericks, averaging 3.4 points and 1.2 rebounds. While his NBA stats might not jump off the page, his dominance in the G League serves as a stark reminder of just how competitive the league is.

Why Wasn’t Cui Starting?

One puzzling aspect of Cui’s debut was his role off the bench. As a two-way contract player, he is expected to have a significant developmental focus in the G League. However, his 16 minutes ranked third-lowest on the team, raising questions about how the Nets plan to utilize him.

Is it a matter of needing to prove himself in practice? A deliberate approach to ease him into the system? Or does the coaching staff simply believe Lawson is a better fit for the starting role at this point? Regardless, it’s clear that Cui will have to work even harder to earn more playing time and opportunities.

A Steep Hill to Climb

The G League is no walk in the park. For many players, it’s a place to refine skills, prove worth, and fight for an NBA opportunity. It’s also a league filled with talent—players who may not currently have an NBA roster spot but possess the skill to compete at a high level.

For Cui Yongxi, his debut served as a wake-up call. Competing against established players like Lawson and even other young talents like Bronny and Kawamura, the path forward looks increasingly challenging. The only solution for Cui is to focus on development, embrace the grind, and earn his minutes on the court.

While this first game may have been underwhelming, it’s far too early to write off Cui Yongxi. Adjustments, patience, and a relentless work ethic will be crucial if he wants to climb the ladder in one of the toughest basketball environments. For now, however, it’s clear that the road to relevance will be long and filled with obstacles.