Michael Porter Jr. returns, Egor Demin plays through respiratory issues against Pelicans

The Brooklyn Nets receive reinforcements for the match with New Orleans Pelicans it will have implications for tanks. After resting during Thursday’s 123-110 back-to-back loss to the Utah Jazz, Michael Porter Jr. no injury tag Saturday against the Pelicans.

Brooklyn named Porter Jr. Thursday. ruled out due to a lower back injury. The 6-foot-10 forward missed two games with lower back soreness a week earlier.

“Just injury management. If you think about it, (Michael) played, I think, three in four days. Then he had to miss two games,” Jordi Ferandez said ahead of the Jazz game. “That last game[before the two absences]I didn’t see him moving well – and that was about the muscles. But the reality now is that it’s five (games) in seven (days), right? And our health comes first. We’re very happy with the way he’s playing, and we want him to continue to do that. So the way we manage their bodies is important.”

Porter Jr. has played at the All-Star level in a leading role for the Nets, averaging 27.6 points (11th in the NBA), 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 50/41/83 shooting over the last 12 games. He averaged 34.0 points while leading Brooklyn to a pair of wins over the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls over his last two appearances.

The Nets are getting a boost ahead of the Pelicans matchup with tanking implications

Egor Demin also no mark of injury against the Pelicans despite Fernandez having his minutes limited on Thursday due to an upper respiratory issue. Novak played only 20 minutes during the loss, recording three points, one rebound and two assists on 1-of-4 shooting.

“The energy wasn’t great, but he was dealing with some upper respiratory issues,” Fernandez said. “I felt like he tried really hard and the intentions were in the right place. It was just my decision because I know he had a problem with it. He was allowed to play, but it was something he had to deal with. “It wasn’t his game. I need to rest a bit, come back, get a good night’s sleep. And then I know he will get better. I know he’ll be back. He has high standards for himself.”

Noah Clowney is likely to play for the Nets on Saturday because of back pain. Clowney scored 29 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, 3-of-6 from three and 10-of-12 from the free throw line against Utah.

The Nets enter Saturday’s game 2.5 games behind the Pelicans for first place in the lottery standings. New Orleans has lost 14 of its last 15 games, with Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole and Herb Jones all missed time with injuries.

All three players will be suspended against Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Yves Missy is questionable with a sprained ankle.