NBA Notes: Nets, Egor Demin, Raptors, Brandon Ingram, Jazz

Nets

The Nets have officially shut down rookie Egor Demin for the rest of the season because of a left foot injury.

Demin wanted to keep playing. The pain simply would not allow it, as relayed by Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

“He’s a kid that wants to be out there,” coach Jordi Fernandez told reporters. “But when the discomfort doesn’t allow you to play at that level, we had to find solutions.”

The good news? The procedure is non-surgical. The hope is that shutting Demin down now allows him to heal and attack the offseason healthy.

Fernandez said that is the priority.

“His health is No. 1,” he said. “We’re very optimistic.”

Raptors

Things have been uneven for the Raptors lately. And when Scottie Barnes is not on the floor, some of Brandon Ingram’s limitations as a primary option have shown up.

According to Eric Koreen of The Athletic, Ingram remains a willing passer but can be slow making decisions. He has also been in a shooting slump during Toronto’s recent slide.

Meanwhile, guard Jamal Shead may be showing signs of life offensively. Shead finished with nine points, three assists and no turnovers in 20 minutes against New Orleans.

Before that, he had been shooting just 20 percent during March.

Jazz

The Jazz are giving a chance to a defensive standout. Utah is signing rookie guard Bez Mbeng to a 10-day contract, per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Mbeng, a Yale product, has spent the season with the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, averaging 6.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists.

But defense is his calling card. Mbeng was the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year three straight seasons and also won conference Player of the Year honors in 2024-25.

Utah will need to open a roster spot to finalize the signing.