Egor Demin Breaks Out in Nets’ Blowout Win Over Bucks
Brooklyn’s 127-82 demolition of the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday wasn’t just a statement win - it was a coming-out party for rookie guard Egor Demin.
With head coach Jordi Fernandez sidelined by the flu, assistant coach Steve Hetzel took over the reins. But even without Fernandez on the sideline, his presence was still felt - especially through the performance of his young players. Demin, the Nets’ 2025 first-round pick, delivered his most complete NBA outing to date, dropping 17 points and flashing the kind of two-way potential that has the front office excited about his long-term ceiling.
This wasn’t just a hot shooting night or a lucky run - it was the kind of performance that showed growth. Demin had been struggling to find his rhythm offensively, riding a three-game streak of single-digit scoring, including two quiet nights against Dallas and Utah where he managed just three points apiece. But on Sunday, he broke through - and did it with confidence.
Nine Nets players hit double figures in the rout, but it was Demin who stood out, not just for the points, but for how he played within the flow of the game. He looked more decisive, more in control, and more comfortable - especially for a rookie still finding his footing in the league.
“It’s all a process,” Demin said postgame. “Obviously, I want to do better in every game, but sometimes, there’s days like that.
I’ve just got to really watch film, understand what I did wrong, talk to the coaches and players, and learn from it. Then go to the next one.”
That mindset - process over panic - is exactly what you want to hear from a young player navigating the grind of his first NBA season. Demin knows there are going to be ups and downs. What matters is how he responds.
And respond he did.
Beyond the scoring, Demin brought it on the defensive end, too. He recorded a block and forced two steals, showing that he’s buying in on both ends of the floor. That kind of two-way effort is what earns a rookie minutes - and trust - in a league where the margin for error is razor-thin.
Hetzel, filling in for Fernandez, made it clear that this wasn’t just about one good game - it was about growth.
“Very, very proud of [Demin],” Hetzel said. “He challenged Egor, he challenged Drake [Powell], and they both responded beautifully, with an edge.
It’s another step in their progression. They took a big step in having a bad game and then responding.
And that’s what the NBA’s all about. You play 82 of them.
You got to be quick to forget about the last one, move on and play better - which they both did.”
Powell, another rookie, also cracked double digits in the win. Together, the two first-year players played with energy, focus, and a little bit of that edge Hetzel mentioned - the kind that comes from being coached hard and knowing how to respond.
Even with Fernandez watching from afar, his fingerprints were all over this one. The Nets didn’t just win - they showed what their young core might be capable of as the season progresses.
For Demin, Sunday was more than just a breakout night. It was a step forward in a long journey - one that’s starting to look a lot more promising.