Nets Guard Egor Dëmin Out of Boston Game After Leg Injury
The Russian guard left Tuesday's overtime loss at TD Garden with a contusion and expects to return in a few days.
By Carmen Wojcik ·
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin did not finish Tuesday's overtime loss in Boston due to a right leg contusion. The injury occurred during the first half when he collided with Celtics forward Paul George while defending a drive. Dëmin checked out of the game with 2:22 remaining in the first half. He limped into the locker room and was ruled out for the remainder of the night.
The 24-year-old downplayed the severity of the incident after the final buzzer. He stated that he took a knee to the muscle and bone area but felt better immediately after leaving the court. "I think I'll be ready in a couple of days," Dëmin said. He added that the contact happened when George drove past him and their legs hit.
Despite the loss, the Nets showed improvement in defensive metrics against one of the league's top shooting teams. Boston, which leads the NBA in three-point shooting, attempted 41 shots from deep and made 11. That represented a 26 percent success rate. Head coach Jordi Fernández noted that the team had one of the worst defenses entering the game but played a more complete effort on Tuesday.
Fernández acknowledged that percentages fluctuate over a small sample size. He emphasized that the team's coverages were on point and that they contested shots effectively. "I'm happy that they shot 26 percent," the coach said. He added that he needs to review the data further before drawing long-term conclusions, noting that teams with elite shooters can succeed even when heavily contested.
The matchup at TD Garden marked the Nets' first meeting with Boston since the Celtics traded away Jaylen Brown. That move altered the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. Brown was sent to Philadelphia to join a roster that includes LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. The Nets had evaluated Brown as a potential acquisition but ultimately decided against the move based on their internal assessment of the available talent.
Boston listened to offers from multiple teams during the trade process. They selected the Philadelphia 76ers as the final destination for the All-Star forward. The Nets continue to navigate a rebuilding phase, having played only four games this season. Dëmin's expected return timeline of a few days provides relief for a backcourt that has been managing injuries during the early part of the schedule.
