Nets’ Egor Demin Out For Rest Of Season With Injury In Tough End To Promising Rookie Campaign

Egor Dëmin — the Nets’ first lottery pick in 15 years — will miss the remainder of his rookie season due to increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot. 

The news came Monday before a victory that was Pyrrhic in every way. Brooklyn won 126-115 against Memphis, but the tanking Nets lost not only their prized rookie, but vital ground in the all-important lottery race. 

While Dëmin will avoid surgery — and should return to basketball activity early in the offseason and be a full participant in the summer development program — having his promising debut season cut short will be a blow for the young Russian. 

“He’s been a kid that wants to play, wants to be out there, wants to develop — and nothing better than playing real games to get better at this level,” said Jordi Fernández. “Obviously when you have discomfort and it doesn’t allow you to play at that level, we had to find solutions. We were trying to find the best way. And at the end of the day, the good thing is it’s [a] non-surgical procedure, which is good. 

“Obviously the summer and getting him to work and get better throughout the process and having a summer is important. So, the fact he’s not going to be able to play these 20-some games, it’s not the best, because he wants to and we value real reps. But his health is the No. 1 priority. And we’re very, very optimistic and positive about it.” 

Dëmin, 20, had missed the last four games and been mired in a funk. He’d averaged just six points on 31.4 percent shooting and 6-for-24 from deep over his last five games, a Feb. 27 loss in Boston his final game. 

“I know he was dealing with some discomfort, and it got worse and worse,” said Fernández. “We decided to take a look and [try to] settle it a little bit. We ended up asking for different opinions, and that’s what was recommended to us.” 

Dëmin ends a solid rookie campaign averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.2 boards. He was the first Net since 2019 picked for the Rising Stars at All-Star weekend, and set an NBA rookie record by hitting a 3-pointer in 34 straight games. 

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“He’s gotten better at everything we ask him to do,” said Fernández. “The superpowers that he has, he’s shown he can do it at this level, which is really good. The shooting, not just how real it is, but how fast it goes in. His shots in clutch time, the perimeter passing. And now defensively and offensively, that physicality that comes with the work [on] his body. … He’s taking steps. 

“He’s been able to get into the paint more times. Same [thing] defensively on being more physical and working on that technique. That’s going to come with his player development plan. And the sooner we can have him in the summer and keep working on these things, you can keep taking steps forward. But he’s gotten better in every single thing that we’ve asked him to do.” 

With Dëmin shelved and Michael Porter Jr. rested against the Grizzlies, the Nets started rookies Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf and Drake Powell. 

Traore had 17 points and four assists while Day’Ron Sharpe bullied the short-handed Grizzlies inside for 19 points and five boards. 

“We’re trying to win every game,” said Sharpe. “Nobody likes losing. So just always trying to win, and always bring good energy.” 

Memphis showed tanking urgency and suited up just eight players, with Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey all out. Brooklyn won, but fell to fourth in the lottery race. 

“When you’re winning it makes everything better. Guys are bought in, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Wolf (14 points,) adding, “We were able to punish them in the paint. We had a pretty large lineup, and their tallest guy was 6-8.” 

The Nets declined to give Grant Nelson a second 10-day contract, league sources told the Post. Fernández said it was to get a look at other players.

“We obviously loved what he did in the games he had a chance to play,” said Fernández. “We have plenty of players here to give looks and to make sure that we know what we’ve got. We have to make sure that at the end of the season, we know exactly what we’ve got, and there’s no question marks.”