Egor Dëmin, Mikel Brown Jr. Build Chemistry in Nets Summer League Win

The guard duo led the Nets in scoring.

Feb 22, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

NBA Summer League is about more than wins and losses, although the Brooklyn Nets opened the Las Vegas slate with a dominant 91-65 win over the New York Knicks. The game offered another encouraging glimpse of what that future backcourt could look like with Egor Dëmin and Mikel Brown Jr.

The duo combined for 40 points while fueling Brooklyn's dominant second-half performance. Dëmin finished with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, knocking down three of his nine attempts from beyond the arc while adding three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 22 minutes. Brown matched him with 20 points on an efficient 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-6 from three, adding three assists, two steals and a block in 22 minutes.

While the box score highlights their scoring, their developing connection stood out just as much.

Dëmin, entering his second NBA season after averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds across 52 games as a rookie, looked more comfortable balancing his role as a facilitator and scorer. Instead of playing timidly, the 6-foot-8 guard consistently forced the issue by attacking downhill when opportunities presented themselves. Brown benefited from that patience, finding space to score both in transition and within half-court sets.

Brown arrived in Brooklyn as one of the nation's best offensive guards after his freshman season at Louisville, where his shot creation and decision-making helped establish him as a lottery selection. Those same traits were on display Friday. After a quiet start, Brown erupted in the second half, confidently knocking down jumpers while showing the shiftiness and creativity that made him one of college basketball's most exciting freshmen.

The pairing works because each player complements the other's strengths. Dëmin's size allows him to see passing lanes over defenders and initiate offense from multiple spots on the floor, while Brown thrives attacking closeouts and creating advantages once defenses begin rotating. Rather than competing for touches, the two appeared comfortable alternating as primary ball handlers.

That chemistry has been a point of emphasis throughout the summer. Dëmin has spoken openly about wanting to build a connection with Brown before the regular season begins, and Friday's performance suggested meaningful progress toward that goal.

There is still work to be done before the games begin to count, but the early returns are promising. If this performance was any indication, Brooklyn may have found a backcourt capable of growing together for years to come. Their shared 40-point outing was an early glimpse of the offensive partnership the Nets hope becomes a cornerstone of their rebuilding effort.