The Nets need to develop their rookies without developing losing habits. That tightrope walk is why Jordi Fernández benched Ben Saraf for journeyman Tyrese Martin.
With Saraf struggling defensively and Martin having played well to close out the game in Atlanta, Fernández had hoped to give his winless Nets a spark with Martin starting and defensive rookie Drake Powell coming off the bench.
But Martin was held scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting, Powell was forced out of the game with a twisted left ankle after logging just 4:27, and the Nets were blown out 129-105.
“I trust Tyrese. He’s done a great job and I felt like you brought more experience. And then Drake – unfortunately he got injured – but you bring Drake, who’s a good defender and he’s going to be a high-level defender. And we’ll continue to develop these guys,” Fernández said. “Unfortunately, [Powell] could no longer play. But that was the thought process: trying to help with the setups. It just didn’t work out.”
Much of the sold-out crowd of 17,548 at the Barclays Center likely came to watch the Nets record five first-round picks. But Saraf – who had started every game so far this season – linked up with Nolan Traore to take a DNP and Danny Wolf was sidelined with a sprained left ankle, and then Powell went down too.
Powell was in the locker room afterward without ice or wrapping on his ankle and walking without a limp. The Nets did not indicate a severity rating for the injury.
“No, I have no idea,” Fernández said of Powell, who had missed time earlier in the season with the same sprained ankle after stepping on a teammate’s foot. “It’s bad luck if you step on someone, and ankles are usually soft tissue. We can talk about that, but if you step on someone, you have no control over that.”
“So bad luck. I feel for the kid. He’ll be back soon because he’s a worker and he’s great. He started really well with a lot of energy, the two transition points. Unfortunately, this is part of the game, and he’ll be back soon.”
The rookie class logged just 19 minutes on Sunday, while the Nets lost by 24.
“I think [Fernández] wants more on the defensive side. I think I had a few slumps on defense the last two games. So it’s very important for the team. I think this is the most important thing,” Saraf said.
“I feel like I’m a capable defensive player. I think I just need a little more focus on some possessions. Yeah, I need to be there.”
Terance Mann started after being doubtful due to an illness. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Egor Dëmin was minus-15 in 15 minutes. But the rookie point guard — who has struggled to touch the paint — finally scored the first drive and two-point basket of his career late in the first quarter.
Haywood Highsmith was out due to surgery on his right knee.
Joel Embiid was for the 76ers.
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