Nets rookie Nolan Traore logged a career-high 27:57 in Friday’s 112-109 win over Chicago, and he got the nod down the stretch over lottery pick Egor Dëmin.
Traore — who had seven assists — played 8:59 in the fourth quarter, while Dëmin was limited to just 2:56 in the pivotal final period by coach Jordi Fernández.
The Russia lottery pick gave way to Traore for the final five minutes.
“I needed Egor to lead with this physicality, and those are conversations he and I have,” Fernández said. “I know he can do it, because late in the game against New Orleans, he had great stops. He guarded Trey Murphy and did a great job. And that physicality, chest in the ball, was great. I know he can do it. And when I see that we start the quarter or the half and he doesn’t bring that level of physicality … and same thing towards the end of the game. I thought I needed that.
“But I’m very happy with both. I’m very happy with how they play, how selfless they play, their intentions. That’s how you learn and get better. I know [Dëmin’s] not happy if I take him out of the game. That’s what I hope. And then from there, I know he can bring that level of physicality to guard, to switch, to guard bigger guys, to get into the paint. And then everything else that his superpowers are shooting the ball and finding the 3-point line. I know that that’s there.”
Ziaire Williams (illness) and Haywood Highsmith (surgery recovery) were out for the Nets. Ben Saraf and two-way E.J. Liddell were with Long Island.
Noah Clowney had 23 points on 4-of-7 shooting from deep. His 11 rebounds were a career-high.