Rookie Egor Demin’s Breakout Performance Fuels Nets’ Historic Blowout of Bucks

The Brooklyn Nets delivered a statement victory on Sunday night. They demolished the Milwaukee Bucks 127-82 at Barclays Center. The win tied the largest margin of victory in the franchise’s history. It was a complete team effort sparked by a rookie’s emphatic response.

With head coach Jordi Fernández out with illness, assistant Steve Hetzel took the reins. The team has now won four of its last six games. This dominant performance provided a stark contrast to their loss to the Bucks just last week.

Demin Answers the Call with Aggressive Start

The story of the night was rookie Egor Demin. Just days after Fernández publicly challenged him to raise his level, the No. 8 overall pick delivered. He scored a team-high 17 points on efficient 6-for-8 shooting. He added three rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes.

Demin set the tone immediately. He opened the game 4-for-4 with nine points in the first seven minutes. His early burst helped Brooklyn build a 37-25 lead after the first quarter. That 37-point period was the team’s highest-scoring first quarter all season.

“He did exactly what we needed,” Hetzel said after the game. “You have to move on from the last game and play better. He did that tonight.” According to Associated Press game statistics, the Nets’ 15 made field goals in the first were also a season high.

Historic Defense and Overwhelming Balance Seal the Win

The Nets never relented after their hot start. They built a 19-point lead in the second quarter and entered halftime up 17. The third quarter was a 34-23 rout, effectively ending the contest. Nine different Nets players scored in double figures.

The 82 points allowed marked the fewest Brooklyn has surrendered since 2018. The bench contributed a strong 60 points. With Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined, the shorthanded Bucks struggled, shooting just 40.9% in the decisive third quarter.

This historic win provides a blueprint for the Nets. A focused Egor Demin breakout game changes their offensive dynamic. Brooklyn will look to carry this momentum into Thursday’s matchup against the Miami Heat.

Info at your fingertips

Who was the leading scorer for the Nets?

Rookie Egor Demin led all Nets scorers with 17 points. He did it on very efficient shooting, making six of his eight attempts from the field.

Why was the Nets’ head coach not on the sideline?

Head coach Jordi Fernández was sidelined due to illness. Assistant coach Steve Hetzel led the team in his absence and guided them to the victory.

How significant was this victory for the Nets?

The 45-point win tied the largest margin of victory in the history of the Brooklyn Nets franchise. It was a definitive, record-tying performance.

How did the Nets perform defensively?

The defense was historically good. Holding the Bucks to 82 points was the fewest the Nets have allowed in a game since the 2018 season.

Was this a full team effort?

Yes. Balance was key. All five starters scored in double figures, and nine Nets players total reached at least 10 points in the game.

Who led the Milwaukee Bucks in scoring?

Guard Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 20 points. He was one of the few consistent offensive bright spots for the shorthanded team.