Imagine a rookie shattering NBA records and single-handedly lifting a struggling team to victory. That's exactly what happened on Friday night in Salt Lake City, where Egor Demin's historic performance became the highlight of the Brooklyn Nets' 109-99 win over the Utah Jazz. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Demin didn't just score 25 points and grab 10 rebounds—he set a new NBA rookie record by hitting a 3-pointer in his 34th consecutive game, a feat that's turning heads across the league. This win was a much-needed lifeline for the Nets, snapping their seven-game losing streak and giving fans a glimmer of hope for the season ahead.
Demin's record-breaking shot came early, on Brooklyn's first basket, and he went on to shoot an impressive 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. But he wasn't alone in this victory. Cam Thomas chipped in 21 points, Day’ron Sharpe added 16 points and nine rebounds, and Danny Wolf contributed 14 points. The Nets dominated the second-chance points, outscoring the Jazz 20-2, a stat that underscores their hustle and determination.
For the Jazz, Keyonte George led the charge with 26 points and seven assists, while Brice Sensabaugh provided a spark off the bench with 18 points. Kyle Filipowski notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Ace Bailey added 12 points. Despite their efforts, the Jazz couldn't keep up, extending their losing streak to five games and dropping nine of their last 10. And this is the part most people miss: Utah’s inability to capitalize on key moments in the third quarter, where they tied the score three times but never took the lead, ultimately sealed their fate.
The game's turning point came early in the fourth quarter when the Nets went on an 8-0 run, capped by Jalen Wilson’s 3-pointer, to take a 91-83 lead. The Jazz briefly threatened with a dunk from Cody Williams, but Demin and Wolf responded with three consecutive 3-pointers, pushing the lead to 100-90 with 4:45 left. Cam Thomas also played a crucial role, scoring 14 straight points in the second quarter to help the Nets build a 52-38 lead, though the Jazz managed to cut the deficit to a single basket by halftime.
Controversially, some fans are already debating whether Demin’s record-breaking streak is a sign of a future superstar or just a hot start. What do you think? Is Egor Demin the real deal, or is it too early to crown him? Let us know in the comments!
Looking ahead, the Nets will aim to build on this momentum as they face the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, while the Jazz will try to bounce back against the Toronto Raptors. Will the Nets continue their winning ways, or will the Jazz finally turn their season around? Only time will tell.
AP NBA: For more in-depth coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/nba.
