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Nets Say Powell Nearing Contact Work as Demin Lags in Return From Plantar Fascia Tear

Brooklyn is moving both rookies through a cautious ramp-up with hopes they can be ready for the Oct. 22 opener.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Youngblood (40) handles the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Dëmin (8) during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Overview

  • Coach Jordi Fernández said Drake Powell has completed non-contact portions of practice and is expected to progress to contact soon after dealing with left knee tendinopathy.
  • Team video from the first day of camp showed Powell active in defensive drills at the HSS Training Center, underscoring his movement toward full participation.
  • Fernández described Egor Dёmin as progressing but not as close to contact work as Powell and said an official timetable for Dёmin will be provided later.
  • General manager Sean Marks confirmed this week that Dёmin has been limited since a Summer League plantar fascia tear and will be built up gradually through the early part of camp.
  • Dёmin, the No. 8 pick, has downplayed the issue and has been seen doing permitted work such as shooting, as the Nets maintain a conservative return-to-play plan for their rookies.