Danny Wolf reacts to encouraging performances during surprise NBA debut

Brooklyn Nets fans have been begging the team to showcase more of its rookies early this season. Their wish came true on Friday evening. With Egor Demin and Drake Powell already full-time members of the rotation, rookie Danny Wolf got his first extended NBA minutes in a 115-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Wolf played 13 minutes in the loss, recording five points, five rebounds and one assist while shooting 0-of-2 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. He finished a team-best +6.

“(It was) great. It’s always good to get a chance,” Wolfe said. “They tell me to be ready, and I try to do that. And it was great to go out there and get my chance and try to do everything I can to help the team win. Obviously we didn’t, and that’s what’s important. But we have another chance (Saturday) night in Milwaukee.”

Wolff was the only one of the Nets’ record five rookies taken in the first round he has yet to play extended minutes before Friday.

Nets rookie Danny Wolf makes the rotation during the loss to the 76ers

The No. 27 pick has spent the last few weeks in the G League, averaging 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists on .481/.333/.778 shooting in seven appearances. Doc Brooklyn lost his job on Friday, and Michael Porter JrWolff said he was not told before the game that he will see his first extended NBA minutes.

“No… I was just waiting, and they say be prepared, but you don’t really know what that means,” he said. “But when I heard my name being called, I just went out and tried to do what I do. I just played with an open mind and had fun.”

Doc many wondered if Wolff would play power forward or center in the NBA, played on the wing for most of Friday’s loss. The Nets have a loaded frontcourt rotation with Nick Claxton, Dare Sharp and Noah Clowney.

After a slow start, Wolf looked more comfortable late in the game, pushing the ball in transition and attacking the rim on several drives. Despite concerns about his defensive mobility, he held his own on the wing as Brooklyn was trapped and rotated for much of the second half.

“I think in the second half I felt like my legs were a little better under me. I felt more comfortable and more composed,” Wolfe said. “Toward the end, I finally felt like myself. It’s great to get the opportunity. Whenever I hear my name again, I have to keep using it. That’s how I have to look at it.”

Danny Wolf said he wasn’t told he would play his first NBA extended minutes tonight:

“I was just waiting, and they say to be ready, but you don’t know what that means … My legs were better under me in the second half. Towards the end I finally felt like myself.” pic.twitter.com/lvlfFaoC2a

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) November 29, 2025

Yegor Demin, who scored 23 points during the second half of Friday’s loss, liked what he saw from his fellow rookie.

“I thought he looked super confident, and I really liked the way he came out on the field. Like I said, just really confident, really (looks) like he’s been there before,” Demin said of Wolff. “He’s been playing basketball for a while. He’s been in college for a couple of years. So he knows what it’s like. And I thought he was ready. And he (had) some impact, for sure.”