Demin Plays Down Leg Injury After Exiting Nets' Overtime Loss to Celtics

Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin has played down concerns over the leg injury that forced him out of Tuesday night's 125-124 overtime defeat to the Boston Celtics. The sophomore left the game with 2:22 remaining in the first half after bumping knees with Paul George while defending a drive, and did not return.

The Nets later described the problem as a right leg contusion. Demin stayed in for one more offensive possession before reaching for his leg at the next stoppage and hobbling to the locker room. Speaking afterwards, he sounded relaxed about the setback, saying he had simply been kneed in the muscle and bone area, that it already felt better than it had immediately after the incident, and that he expected to be ready to play again within a couple of days.

He was less certain about the medical next steps, saying he did not know whether he would need imaging or whether he would be fit for Friday's meeting with the Detroit Pistons. Demin has started all four of Brooklyn's games to open the season, and the Nets, still winless at 0-4, can ill afford to lose another starter. His upbeat postgame tone will encourage Brooklyn fans, but the team will wait on further evaluation before confirming his status for Friday.