Egor Demin ruled out, Michael Porter Jr. questionable for Rockets matchup
The Brooklyn Nets will be shortened when they host Houston Rockets on Thursday. Egor Demin was excluded from the match, the first in a row, due to pain in the lower back.
Thursday’s game will be Demin’s third absence of the season. The rookie point guard also threw a pair of back-to-back games earlier in the year.
Demin is playing his best basketball of the season amid the recent upheaval in Brooklyn. The Russian floor general averaged 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 44/40/90 shooting over the last six games.
Nets transcripts for Rockets matchup amid recent hot streak
Michael Porter Jr. is questionable against the Rockets due to illness. Porter Jr. played at the All-Star level for the Nets this season, averaging 25.8 points — 16th in the NBA — 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists on .496/.410/.812 shooting.
Terrance Mann also questionable on Thursday due to a right hip contusion. Mann averaged 7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists on .441/.325/.864 shooting while starting all 28 games this season.
The Nets have won seven of their last 11 games while posting the NBA’s third-best net rating (8.1) in December, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder (11.2) and Boston Celtics (11.0). With Demin sidelined, rookie Nolan Traore should see extended minutes against the Rockets. Tyrese Martin could also re-enter the rotation after recording a DNP-CD in the team’s last two games following the return of Cam Thomas from a hamstring injury.
The Rockets have won their last three games after going 2-5. Alperen Sengun (left soleus; strain), Tari Eason (illness), Steven Adams (right ankle; sprain) and Clint Capela (illness) are questionable for Houston on Thursday.
2025-12-31 22:50:00
