DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 29: Head coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 29, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 29: Head coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during the second quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 29, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Swann/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Coming off seven straight losses, the Brooklyn Nets finally found the win column for the first time in 26 days while sliding past the Utah Jazz 109–99.
The win was rooted more in execution than shot-making. Even while shooting lower percentages from the field and from three for most of the game, Brooklyn stayed disciplined defensively and made the right plays at the right time.
Just four players reached double figures, with BYU product Egor Demin leading the way with a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds, recording his first career double-double in his return to Utah.
When asked about his thunderous return to the Beehive State, the rookie took a moment to reflect on his career night.
“It’s very special. Especially having these people that mean so much to me here. I’m feeling this BYU love,” Demin said. “It means a lot to me.”
Demin’s Homecoming
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 04: Egor Demin #8 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Barclays Center on January 04, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Getty Images
While knocking down three early triples in the first quarter, Demin became the second-fastest rookie in NBA history to reach 100 made three-pointers, while also setting an NBA rookie record with his 34th consecutive game with a made three.
As has been the case throughout his season, most of his damage came from beyond the arc, with all but two of his eight made field goals coming from deep.
He continues to shoot with an uncommon level of confidence for a rookie, reaching his 25 points efficiently by shooting 50 percent from both the field and from three while totaling just two turnovers.
“Very happy for him. Very efficient game. He was ready to shoot,” said Nets head coach Jordi Fernández. “There was a reason why we drafted him. That’s something we can not teach. He has that mentality, always even-keeled. Every time the ball goes up, I believe it’s going in. I’m proud of him.”
Rather than taking credit for the best night of his career during his homecoming, the rookie showed why his maturity and character have stood out so far by deflecting the praise to his teammates.
“Nothing new. My teammates being good teammates. It’s a new lineup, playing with Noah for the first time and I love it. His penetration has opened up so much for us. The way he’s aggressive makes everybody life easier.”
With 104 made three-pointers on the season, Demin currently ranks second among all rookies and is on pace to finish with 181 threes, surpassing Kerry Kittles’ rookie record of 158.
Defense Sets The Tone
They may not have kept up with Utah’s shooting percentage, but Brooklyn brought down 14 more rebounds than Utah.
According to Fernández, Utah’s switch-heavy approach created cross-matches that Brooklyn was able to exploit, particularly on the glass, and he credited his team for capitalizing on those opportunities.
“When you are cross-matched, you can go and attack the glass,” Fernandez said. “And I think our guys did a great job.”
Center Nic Claxton and rookie point guard Nolan Traoré each finished with two blocks, while rookie forward Danny Wolf added one of his own.
Beyond what showed up on the stat sheet, Brooklyn consistently clogged the paint with active hands, contested shots while making life difficult for any Utah player that ventured into the paint, holding an opponent under 100 points for the first time in over a month.
The Jazz may have shot more efficiently than Brooklyn through the first three quarters, but the Nets simply took more shots and converted at a high enough rate that Utah’s efficiency ultimately didn’t matter.
Rookies Step Up
Demin wasn’t the only rookie to make a difference, as all five of Brooklyn’s rookies scored for the first time this season and the first time since 1991, with Traoré and Wolf playing key roles in Friday night’s win.
Traoré continues to show how far he’s come from the rushed, panicked player who struggled in the G League just a few months ago. While he may not yet be the explosive scorer he was in France just yet, the 19-year-old was effective across 26 minutes, finishing with seven points, six assists, two blocks, and just one turnover while shooting 37.5 percent from the field.
As the lightest player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft Traoré wasn’t expected to make much of an impact defensively early on, but effort goes a long way. He consistently kept himself in the mix by contesting shots and chasing Utah’s guards around screens while helping anchor Brooklyn’s defensive effort.
After a rough couple of games, Wolf bounced back with his best statistical outing of 2026 finishing with 14 points on 54.5% shooting while adding five rebounds, two assists and a block.
While he may not be a noticeable contributor just yet, rookie Ben Saraf has averaged 18 minutes over the past four games since returning from the G League. During Friday’s win, he finished with two points while dishing out two assists and grabbing a steal through 21 minutes of action.
Milestone Watch
Demin picked the right time to steal the show in his return to Utah, setting an NBA rookie record with 34 consecutive games with a made three-pointer. The rookie also became the second-fastest first-year player to reach 100 made three-pointers in their career.
With two blocks during Friday’s win, Nic Claxton is just three blocks away from passing Mike Gminski for the fourth-most blocks in franchise history.
What’s Next?
Sunday, the Nets will head to Detroit to take on the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
Led by All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who is averaging 25.3 points per game, Detroit enters the matchup at 35–12, holding the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best mark in the NBA.