Nets Rest Egor Demin Against Bucks as Rookie Continues Recovery From Foot Injury

The Brooklyn Nets will be without one of their most promising young contributors Saturday night, ruling out rookie point guard Egor Demin for the second half of their back-to-back. The decision comes less than 24 hours after the Nets fell 115–103 to the Philadelphia 76ers, a game in which Demin delivered the strongest stretch of his young career.

Demin’s absence is tied to continued management of a left plantar fascia tear — the same injury that cost him most of the preseason. While the 19-year-old has steadily increased his workload since entering the starting lineup, Brooklyn opted for caution as they navigate a congested early-season schedule.

The loss is significant given Demin’s recent surge, highlighted by his standout second half against the 76ers. His rise has been one of the Nets’ most encouraging developments as the team tries to establish continuity despite injuries and roster fluctuation.

Brooklyn enters Milwaukee short-handed once again, with additional questions surrounding depth pieces and several Bucks players also carrying injury designations. The matchup arrives at a challenging moment for both teams amid busy schedules and shifting lineups.

1. Demin’s Injury Background and Recent Breakthrough

Demin’s plantar fascia tear limited him for much of training camp and preseason, forcing Brooklyn to bring him along gradually. He previously sat out the second game of the team’s first back-to-back but had managed to participate fully in the next two, signaling growing momentum in his recovery. That progress was underscored Friday when he erupted for a career-best 23 points in the second half alone. His 8-of-15 shooting, including five made threes, showcased both his confidence and versatility as a scorer. He added eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks, rounding out the most complete performance of his young career. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, Demin has averaged 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists over his last 10 appearances while posting efficient 40/36/88 shooting splits. His ability to manage the offense, space the floor, and contribute defensively has quickly made him an essential piece of Brooklyn’s early-season rotation. Despite the momentum, the Nets elected to hold him out as a precaution, prioritizing long-term health over immediate availability, especially given the severity and recurrence risks associated with plantar fascia injuries.

2. Martin and Saraf Expected to Shoulder More Responsibility

With Demin unavailable, guard Tyrese Martin is expected to take over starting point guard duties. Martin has been one of Brooklyn’s most reliable performers across the past six games, averaging 14.0 points and 3.3 assists while shooting an efficient 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from three. His steadiness and improved decision-making have offered Brooklyn valuable backcourt stability, especially amid shifting lineups. Martin’s ability to play on or off the ball gives the Nets flexibility as they compensate for Demin’s absence. Rookie Ben Saraf may also factor into Saturday’s rotation. The No. 26 pick opened the season as a starter but was moved out of the rotation before being sent to the G League, where he showed flashes before suffering an ankle injury. After missing two weeks, he returned to the active roster Friday but did not play. Saturday’s matchup could mark Saraf’s first meaningful NBA action in over a month, giving the Nets a chance to reassess the young guard’s development and conditioning as he works his way back into the fold.

3. Nets and Bucks Both Dealing With Injury Uncertainty

Brooklyn’s injury issues extend beyond Demin. Forward Michael Porter Jr. has also been ruled out due to lower back soreness, removing another scoring option and wing defender from the rotation. Terance Mann remains questionable with right rib soreness, further testing the team’s depth. Milwaukee enters the contest with its own concerns. Giannis Antetokounmpo is listed as questionable due to left adductor injury management, while Kevin Porter Jr. is also uncertain to play as he continues recovering from meniscus surgery. The Bucks are currently navigating a six-game losing streak and are also on the second half of a back-to-back, adding urgency as they attempt to regain footing in the standings. Their availability issues mirror Brooklyn’s, setting the stage for a matchup likely shaped by bench contributions and in-game adjustments. With both teams searching for stability amid mounting injuries, Saturday’s meeting becomes a test of each roster’s depth and resilience early in the season.