The Nets’ tank rolled on, keeping pace for the worst record in the league. And the best spot in the lottery.
But even as the rebuilding Nets fell 119-109 to Toronto before 17,233 at Barclays Center, Jordi Fernández insisted that rebuild isn’t just about ping-pong balls and lottery odds but developing the right habits.
That means developing this year’s rookie crop, not just waiting for next season’s. And Egor Dëmin is leading the way with increasingly encouraging performances.
Nets guard Egor Dëmin drives around forward Scottie Barnes during the second half of the Nets’ 119-109 loss to the Raptors at Barclays Center on Nov. 11, 2025, Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Nets (1-10) stayed tied with Washington for the top spot in the lottery standings, and half-game clear of the Pacers. But unlike this weekend’s humiliating loss in the Garden, this time Fernández couldn’t fault his team’s effort.
Brooklyn cut a 14-point deficit to two late in the third, but couldn’t get over the hump in the fourth. They got battered on the glass, and shot just 39.5 percent from the floor, unable to buy a clutch make when they needed one.
“Just a few crucial shots didn’t go in. I think our process was right though, so it was a step in the right direction and we can build from it,” said Nic Claxton, who shared team-high honors with Michael Porter Jr.
Claxton and Noah Clowney each added eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals, but Dëmin had the most auspicious performance. The lottery pick had a career-high 16 points to go with five assists, four boards, a steal and a block.
“We all believe that he belongs,” Fernández said.
“I’m very happy where he’s at right now and what he’s shown, how aggressive he was. Five assists to one turnover against a team that’s very aggressive and very handsy, that shows growth. So I’m happy with him and proud of the group. … All those things are positive. The challenge here is sustaining this. And then, going into the defensive end, being more efficient, and learning from his minutes.”
RJ Barrett goes up for a layup as Terance Mann (14) defends during the Nets’ home loss to the Raptors. Corey Sipkin for New York Post
With Cam Thomas sidelined, Dëmin has looked more aggressive in the pick-and-roll. He’s averaged 11.3 points, five assists and 3.7 boards as a starter, shooting .480 and 8-of-17 from deep.
“Everything comes with the reps,” Dëmin said. “That’s a big part of my transition on this level, is just get used to those things that I haven’t met before on the pick-and-roll, the physicality, looking at the different coverages. … And obviously the ball pressure; people were trying to press me because they know I can lose the ball sometimes. But I get more comfortable with it for sure.
“Being able to be more aggressive and more physical and thinking about it, that every time I touch the bench, something good happens, either for myself or for the team. Just having that in my mind as many times as I can during the game, that helps me.”
The Nets coughed up 13 unanswered points in a run that spanned the first and second quarters.
And another 14-5 Raptors run left the Nets chasing the game the rest of the night.
Brandon Ingram had 25 points for Toronto, and his free throw made it 70-56 with 9:23 left in the third.
It was still 76-66 after a layup by Immanuel Quickley (24 points) when the Nets responded with a 9-3 run, Claxton’s foul shot pulling them within four.
Ziaire Williams (1) and Jalen Wilson (22) battle Ja’Kobe Walter (14) and forward Scottie Barnes (4) for a loose ball during the first quarter of the Nets’ home loss to the Raptors. Brad Penner-Imagn Images
And Clowney’s free throw made it 81-79 with 1:27 left in the third. But the Nets never managed to get over the hump in the fourth.
“The inability to get stops [cost us]. Obviously you have to shoot a little bit better to win,” Fernández said. “But all you can control is to take the right ones and the good ones. And we did. It just comes down to some games you’re going to need a few extra stops and a few extra finished possessions and those winning plays.
“Even though we tried and we tried hard, it’s where we want to continue to see growth.”
The Nets guarded well by their sievelike standards, holding Toronto to 9-of-35 from deep.
But they got outrebounded 50-36 and outscored 68-36 in the paint.
