Nets rookie Nolan Traore recorded a career-high 27:57 in Friday’s 112-109 win over Chicago, getting the win over lottery pick Egor Dëmin.
Traore – who had seven assists – played 8:59 in the fourth quarter, while Dëmin was limited to just 2:56 by coach Jordi Fernández in the crucial final period.
The Russian lottery pick made way for Traore in the last five minutes.
“I needed Egor to lead this physicality, and those are the conversations he and I have,” Fernández said. “I know he can do it because late in the game against New Orleans he had great stops. He guarded Trey Murphy and did a great job. And that physicality, chest on the ball, was great. I know he can do it. And when I see we start the quarter or half and he doesn’t bring that level of physicality… and the same thing towards the end of the game. I thought I needed that.”
“But I’m very happy with both. I’m very happy with how they play, how selflessly they play, their intentions. That’s how you learn and get better. I know [Dëmin’s] I’m not happy when I take him out of the game. That’s what I hope. And from there, I know he can bring that level of physicality to guard, to transition, to guard bigger guys, to get in the paint. And then everything else that his superpowers are shooting the ball and finding the three-point line. I know there is.”
Ziaire Williams (illness) and Haywood Highsmith (recovery surgery) were out for the Nets. Ben Saraf and two-way EJ Liddell were off Long Island.
Noah Clowney had 23 points on 4-for-7 shooting from deep. His eleven rebounds were a career-high.
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