Nets bench two first-round picks in final quarter of failed comeback bid

Jordi Fernández benched his first-round draft pick point guards Egor Dëmin and Ben Saraf for the entire fourth quarter Wednesday in a comeback bid led by veterans Tyrese Martin and Terance Mann. 

“I thought Tyrese was awesome,” said Fernández. “It’s about us, and whoever helps the team fight right there. There’s nothing given to anybody. I’m rewarding a player who had a great summer, and he was playing well.” 

Martin played the entire fourth with eight points and four boards. He had 13 and five for the game. Dëmin has struggled to get downhill, something Fernández said the lottery pick must work through. 

Egor Demin of the Brooklyn Nets puts up a shot over Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Saraf (77) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

“He’s gotta figure it out,” said Fernandez. “Obviously, I want him to touch the paint. Everybody will figure out that he’s a threat from the 3-point line, but he cannot play just behind the three. 

“I’m ok if he finishes with a lot of 3s and a lot of assists, but at some point it’s can you be more aggressive when they’re in the bonus? Can you play off two feet? And all of those things. It’s just the proper steps. I’m not really worried.” 

The Nets didn’t even have to face Trae Young, after the four-time All-Star had to leave the game in the first quarter with a sprained right knee. 

Young, who came into Wednesday averaging 20.8 points and 9.5 assists, finished with six points in just seven minutes of action against Brooklyn. 

The star point guard had been standing under the basket on an inbounds play when Nic Claxton pushed Atlanta’s Mouhamed Gueye in the chest. Gueye fell backwards into the side of Young’s leg, and the latter went down clutching his knee. 

Young checked out with 1:52 left in the first and didn’t return.