Brooklyn Nets rookie Egor Demin, the team’s first lottery pick in 15 years, will miss the rest of the season with plantar fasciitis, derailing a promising debut that saw him set an NBA rookie record for consecutive 3-pointers.
The Brooklyn Nets’ rebuild has suffered a significant setback. The team announced that Egor Demin, their prized rookie and first lottery selection in 15 years, will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to increased plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
This development emerged on Monday night, casting a shadow over a 126-115 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The win was pyrrhic; while the Nets secured a triumph, they simultaneously lost their most promising young talent and, critically, lost ground in the NBA draft lottery race, falling to fourth position according to the latest standings.
Head coach Jordi Fernández provided context, stating that Demin had been dealing with discomfort that worsened over his last four games, during which his production dipped to just six points on 31.4% shooting. After seeking multiple opinions, the decision was made for a non-surgical treatment plan. “His health is the No. 1 priority,” Fernández emphasized. “We’re very, very optimistic and positive about it.” Demin is expected to return to basketball activities early in the offseason and participate fully in summer league.
Demin’s abbreviated rookie campaign was undeniably impactful. The 20-year-old Russian guard finished with averages of 10.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game per official team statistics. He became the first Net since 2019 selected for the Rising Stars game at All-Star weekend and etched his name in the record books by hitting a 3-pointer in 34 consecutive games—an NBA rookie record.
Fernández consistently praised Demin’s development, noting improvements in “everything we ask him to do,” from his lightning-quick shooting stroke to his defensive physicality and paint creation. “The superpowers that he has, he’s shown he can do it at this level,” Fernández said. The abrupt end to his season halts this crucial development curve, denying Demin the “real reps” he desperately sought and disrupting the meticulous player development plan the Nets have for him.
For the Nets, the implications are multifaceted. On the court, their tanking efforts, already nuanced, received a blow. The victory itself, while boosting morale for the young players who filled in, moved them further from the top lottery odds. With Demin sidelined and Michael Porter Jr. also rested, the team started rookies Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf, and Drake Powell against a Grizzlies squad actively tanking with eight available players. Traore (17 points, four assists) and Wolf (14 points) shone, and Day’Ron Sharpe bullied inside for 19 points and five boards. Sharpe noted the team’s desire to win: “Nobody likes losing… always trying to win.” Yet, the win’s value must be weighed against the lost opportunity for Demin’s growth and the shifting lottery odds.
The organization also made a roster move, declining to give Grant Nelson a second 10-day contract. Fernández explained it was an opportunity to evaluate other players on the roster as the season winds down, ensuring clarity on the roster for the offseason. “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,” he said.
This injury truncates what was shaping up to be a landmark rookie season for Demin and the franchise. His unique combination of shooting, playmaking, and defensive potential made him the centerpiece of the Nets’ long-term vision. Now, the focus shifts entirely to a careful rehabilitation process and maximizing his summer development. The coming months will be critical in determining whether this setback is merely a pause or a significant hurdle in the ascent of Brooklyn’s new cornerstone.
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