Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin is slated to return to the team's lineup on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to reports. Dëmin practiced with the team on Tuesday in Dallas and has been listed as probable for the upcoming game.
Dëmin has been sidelined for the past six games after suffering a bone bruise in his right leg during an Oct. 27 game against Boston. The Nets have reportedly missed his secondary playmaking and size in the backcourt during his absence. Prior to his injury, Dëmin was averaging 7.8 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 31% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range, marking a decrease from his rookie season statistics.
Coach Jordi Fernández noted that Dëmin participated in a full practice and an additional session to test his leg before a final decision on his playing status is made. "Now we’re doing a little extra session just to push him and see how he feels, and then we’ll make a decision that he has a chance to play," Fernández said.
In other team news, Noah Clowney is also expected to return after fouling out in limited playing time during the Nets' recent loss to the Mavericks. Fernández acknowledged Clowney's need to manage his emotions on the court, stating, "We just have to have him in the right headspace. And I know it looks different for him than this year. But we need Noah to win games for sure."
Nolan Traore is questionable with right calf soreness, while Joshua Jefferson, Ben Saraf, Tyler Bilodeau, and Grant Nelson are on G League assignments. For the Pelicans, Yves Missi is out with a left knee contusion and bone bruise, and Trendon Watford is out with a right ankle sprain. Trey Murphy III is probable with bilateral patellar tendinopathy.