Nets Fall to Magic as Rookies Shine Amid Ongoing Struggles
The Brooklyn Nets are searching for answers, and Thursday night in Orlando didn’t provide many. Coming off a week of roster shakeups-including the waiving of guard Cam Thomas ahead of the trade deadline-the Nets had a shot at a momentum-shifting road win. Instead, they were outpaced and outplayed by a surging Magic squad, dropping the game 118-98 in a performance that underscored both growing pains and lingering issues.
Brooklyn trailed by as many as 26 points as Orlando dictated the tempo on both ends. The Magic executed their gameplan with precision, generating turnovers, creating clean looks, and getting standout performances from their young core.
For the Nets, it was another reminder that development doesn’t always come with immediate results. But there were still some bright spots-especially from their rookies.
Let’s break down three key takeaways from Thursday’s loss:
Egor Demin Shows What the Future Might Look Like
If you’re looking for a silver lining, start with Egor Demin. The 19-year-old rookie had his best night as a pro, pouring in a career-high 26 points on 66.7% shooting from the field and 60% from deep. He added four rebounds and a pair of assists, but it was the confidence and rhythm he played with that stood out.
Demin’s shooting stroke looked smooth and repeatable, and his off-ball movement created quality looks. This wasn’t just a hot night-it was a glimpse into what he could become with consistency.
Yes, there have been stretches where he’s looked every bit the raw rookie, but Thursday was a reminder that the ceiling is high. If he can string together more performances like this, the Nets may have something special brewing.
Nolan Traore’s Growth Is Starting to Show
Playing point guard in the NBA is no small task-especially as a rookie-but Nolan Traore is starting to show signs that he’s adjusting. Against the Magic, he looked more poised and assertive than he has in weeks, finishing with 21 points and seven assists while shooting 53.8% from the floor and 42.9% from three.
The numbers are solid, but it’s the way he’s seeing the floor and picking his spots that’s encouraging. He still had four turnovers and picked up three fouls-reminders that he’s still learning-but the progress is clear. Traore is starting to look more like a floor general than a project, and that’s exactly the kind of development Brooklyn needs during a transitional season.
Michael Porter Jr. Hits Another Wall
Michael Porter Jr. started the season looking like a go-to scorer the Nets could lean on. Lately, though, defenses have caught on-and he’s struggled to adjust. Against Orlando, he once again had trouble finding space, as the Magic keyed in on denying him clean looks off screens and forcing tougher decisions with the ball in his hands.
It’s becoming a trend: when Porter isn’t able to get into rhythm early, his impact wanes. He’s still a talented scorer, but right now, he’s being asked to create under pressure, and the turnovers are starting to pile up.
Brooklyn’s offense might need to find new ways to free him up-whether that’s more off-ball action, quicker sets, or involving him as a decoy to open up others. Whatever the answer is, it’s clear that the current approach is hitting diminishing returns.
What’s Next for Brooklyn?
The Nets return home Saturday to face the Washington Wizards, looking to regroup and build on the flashes they’ve seen from their young backcourt. The loss to Orlando won’t sit well, but in a season that’s increasingly about development, performances like Demin’s and Traore’s offer hope.
Brooklyn’s not where it wants to be in the standings-but if the goal is to build something sustainable, nights like this can still be meaningful. The challenge now is turning potential into consistency.