Yegor Demin becomes the first rookie to accomplish the insane feat since Kevin Durant

ByNBAUSA


Paolo Banchero’s game winner broke through Brooklyn Nets‘ hearts during Wednesday’s 104-103 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic. However, for Nets fans, Egor Demin was the story of the night.

Demin was an afterthought in the first 44 minutes of the game. Then he flipped the switch, nearly leading Brooklyn to an incredible comeback win. After going scoreless through three quarters, the rookie scored 18 of Brooklyn’s final 24 points on 5-of-5 shooting from three in the last three minutes of regular time and overtime.

Demin tied the three-pointer with 5.6 seconds left to send the game into overtime. He then hit a 3-pointer with 1:07 left in overtime before making another 3-pointer to give Brooklyn the lead with 5.3 seconds left. However, Banchero played spoiler, making his 3-pointer at the buzzer to win the game.

Demin’s three overtime three-pointers are the most by any player in Nets franchise history. He is the first rookie since then Kevin Durant (2008) to hit two 3-pointers to tie or take the lead in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime in a single game.

“In high school or when I was a kid, I was filming by myself in the gym and thinking about moments like this,” Demin said after his historic performance. “I go through things like hitting the game-winning shot and five 3-pointers in a row or whatever it is. This was one of those moments that I manifested when I was a kid. It felt really, really good. But again, we didn’t get the win, so it doesn’t matter anymore. … But (the experience) means a lot, not just to me, but to everybody, we can play these games. It’s a big help.”

Wednesday’s defeat is not the first time Demin made up for early clutch struggles this season.

Yegor Demin continues to claw his way through his rookie campaign with the Nets

Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) celebrates his three-point shot against the Orlando Magic with teammates during overtime at Barclays Center.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The 19-year-old is 10-of-13 (76.9%) from three in the final 10 minutes of play within five points. That’s the second-highest three-point percentage in the tracking era (since 1996-97) among players with 10-plus attempts in those situations, behind only Malcolm Brogdon (15-of-18 – 88.3 percent), per Stathead.

“I’ve always felt comfortable in situations like this growing up,” Demin said of his making clutch shots. “It’s almost like if I had a rough game, at the end of the game it would be easier for me to pick up this energy. Because I’m like, if not me, who else? Obviously the situation here is different. There’s a lot of people (to do it) if it’s not me. But I was lucky today to get those opportunities and get those good shots, hopefully. the ball.”

Doc concerns remain about Demin’s limited juice off the dribblehis three-point shooting, defense and decision-making allowed him to make a positive impact as a rookie. The Nets are 9.2 points better per 100 possessions with Demin on the court than off it, the best mark among all rookies and 18th best in the NBA (minimum 500 minutes), per CleaningTheGlass.

The No. 8 pick’s clutch performance further added to the organization’s excitement about his potential.

“Special players can do those things,” Jordi Fernandez said of Demin after Wednesday’s loss. “Now we’re seeing him as a 19-year-old rookie, and he’s able to make those shots in the 4th quarter. It’s going to be tougher because teams will know and probably put more pressure (on him), but he’s a smart player, and he’s going to use that pressure against teams. But there’s a lot we can work on with him because he’s very tall. There’s something we can’t teach and that’s those moments.





2026-01-08 18:10:00

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