The Brooklyn head coach opted to roll with a different starting lineup that didn't include the veteran defender and passer.
The Brooklyn Nets pivoted to re-trusting Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Demin on the shooting end on Wednesday -- both putting on a show against the Orlando Magic.
Demin especially became light out from behind the arc, including forcing overtime. But there was one notable Nets contributor who wasn't in the lineup during the 104-103 loss inside Barclays Center.
Terence Mann wasn't on the floor. It's not because of injury either, as he got listed as a healthy scratch.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez explained via Erik Slater of ClutchPoints why the forward who's started 30 games already wasn't called upon against Orlando.
"It’s just a matter of having a lot of players performing well. Giving looks at different roles for different players," Fernandez began.
But the head coach vows "He’ll be back." Yet, when will Grant be greenlit to run onto the floor with the Nets.
"It’s just a matter of me seeing those roles and seeing those minutes," Fernandez said. "You guys have seen other players out, too. You’ll probably continue to see that, and that’s the reason why.”
Fernandez has noticeably rotated his players in unique ways. That includes briefly starting three of his five rookies -- especially when Nic Claxton dealt with personal issues before returning on Wednesday.
Still, Mann has stepped up as a valuable veteran contributor when called upon.
He recently scored 14 points against the Washington Wizards on Jan. 2 during 24 minutes of action. Mann even received 26 minutes against the Denver Nuggets during that 127-115 win -- scoring six points but dishing out six assists and blocking one shot.
Mann even delivered a three-game streak of producing double-digit points during the month of December. Also the same month of the Nets' surge that saw Brooklyn win seven of 11 games.
Mann's best scoring night came on Oct. 27 -- delivering 21 points despite the 137-109 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Mann is averaging eight points per game. Ziaire Williams helped take control of starting duties as Mann was labeled a scratch. Williams responded with scoring only five points while stealing the ball twice.
Only Noah Clowney was the other starter who joined Porter and Demin in double digits for scoring.
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