Jordi Fernandez’s explanation for Egor Demin’s benching leaves more questions than answers

Brooklyn Nets Rookie Egor Demin started his sixth straight game on Tuesday, but was benched once again. Demin logged just eight second-half minutes in a 113-99 loss to the Boston Celtics, the fewest of any regular in Brooklyn’s rotation.

Jordy Fernandez pulled Demin with the Nets trailing by six with eight minutes left in the third quarter. Novak reentered the game with eight minutes left in the fourth. Boston went on a 7-0 run over the next minute, after which Fernandez called a timeout and replaced Demin in favor of Zaire Williams.

“Mistakes are OK. A lot of times you’re going to have to go out and try to find a different matchup or whatever it is,” the head coach said. “I’m happy with all his mistakes. I’m happy with the way he played. I wanted him to be aggressive, keep shooting and challenge himself defensively… That second unit got us back in the game. Such a great effort by that second group, and we had to be there to support each other. That’s the most important thing.”

Demin was productive for 15 minutes of the first half. The rookie scored 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from three with three assists and one turnover while finishing plus-12. However, he struggled during his limited run in the second half, missing all five of his shots, dishing out one assist with three turnovers and finishing with a minus-16.

Egor Demin continues to see limited minutes in the second half after moving into the starting lineup

Fernandez he was asked after the game whether he feels playing the rookie through the fights is beneficial or detrimental to development. His answer will leave Nets fans with more questions than answers.

“I see a different game than you. I don’t see that fight. Everybody turns it, everybody misses. (Egorov) is not the only one,” Fernandez replied. “And I make mistakes when I trade guys. So they live with my mistakes. I live with (theirs). I’m very happy with how (the starters) played, how they competed… We have high standards for all of them. Michael (Porter Jr.) made mistakes. Nick (Claxton) made mistakes. So yeah, yeah, I just don’t see it (And I just don’t see ro). I’m going to keep training and sometimes I feel like all I can do is win and help the team compete.

.@LucasKaplan_ and I asked Jordi Fernandez about benching Egor Demin late in games and letting him play through struggles:

“I’m happy with (the rookies). I’m going to keep training, and at times I feel like all I can do is go out to win and help the team compete.” https://t.co/7zs0KumRj9 pic.twitter.com/DVb7Ojr3kV

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) November 19, 2025

While Fernandez is adamant that Demin’s mistakes fall into the same bucket as others, the late-game benching of rookies tells a different story.

Since joining Brooklyn’s starting lineup, Demin played just 9.8 second-half minutes per game and 4.2 fourth-quarter minutes per game, the second-fewest of any member of the rotation behind only Day’Ron Sharp (3.6). Despite the Nets’ slump this season, their No. 8 pick ranks 16th among rookies in second-half minutes.

Fernandez consistently played with veterans Tyrese Martin and Ziaire Williams over Demin in the late games. If the goal is to win, those decisions make sense. The Nets posted a -16.2 net rating during Demin’s minutes, according to pbpstats.com. They were dramatically better during Martin’s minutes, posting a -5.49 rating, and marginally better with Williams on the court, posting a -13.83 rating.

However, in a season that should be about rookie development and lottery picks, Demin’s limited playing time in the second half will ruffle feathers among some fans. Russian floor general is the Nets’ first lottery pick in 15 years and the main selling point of the most anticipated draft of the Brooklyn era.

Demin’s performance to start the season he’s been up and down, but has shown promise since breaking into Brooklyn’s starting lineup. The Russian floor general averaged 9.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 turnovers while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three in his last six appearances.

While the Nets are in a tough season, Fernandez’s late-game rotation decisions have been more about winning than maximizing the rookie’s minutes. That’s somewhat understandable as the coach is looking to keep Brooklyn’s veterans at the start of the season.

How long that will be the case will be a frequent topic of conversation as the season continues.