Dëmin Returns, Brown Out For Nets Matchup Against Pelicans

After drafting standout Louisville freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets' front office had felt it found the backcourt of the future in he and second-year guars Egor Dëmin.

But, to this point, injuries have kept the tandem from suiting up in the starting lineup together, with Dëmin missing the last six games after suffering a bone bruise, and Brown still on a minutes restriction.

On Wednesday, against the New Orleans Pelicans, Dëmin will make his return, but Brown was named a late scratch due to illness the morning before the game.

With his restriction, Brown has not yet been cleared for back-to-backs, but after missing the Nets' last game against the Dallas Mavericks, he was set to play against New Orleans.

After shooting under 30% from the field in his first four NBA outings, Brown has looked much more comfortable in the month of November, jumping up to 42.3% from the field, and averaging north of 16 points per game.

Over his past two games, Brown has scored 36 total points, while knocking down six 3-pointers and beginning to impact the game as a passer.

Against the Charlotte Hornets, in Brooklyn's second win of the year, Brown scored 18 points, adding four assists, two rebounds, a steal, and a block, making multiple impressive shots off the dribble.

In just 20 minutes, Brown turned the tides of the game, pushing the pace and getting his teammates out in transition.

"At some point we're gonna see this man, franchise player," NBA Hall-of-Famer Vince Carter said on the call about Brown.

This is certainly a big nod from an all-time great, and highlights the flashes and ability that Brown has displayed when available.

Dëmin, on the other hand, struggled to start the year before his injury, averaging just 7.8 points per game on 31% shooting in his four outings.

Outside of the Nets' four-point loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dëmin has scored less than five points in three of four appearances, while shooting just 6-for-21 from distance.

These numbers should even out, as Dëmin looked the part as one of the most-improved players from last year's draft class in the NBA Summer League.

In Las Vegas, Dëmin averaged over 20 points per game, while helping the Nets win multiple games alongside Brown.

Getting this backcourt pair healthy and used to playing with each other as soon as possible is definitely a priority for the Nets' coaching staff and front office, but they have taken a cautious approach.

Nevertheless, Dëmin will be looking to have an efficient outing against the Pelicans on Wednesday night.