Nets ignite season with record-setting offensive clinic
November 12, 2026, 3:30 a.m. Central time.
The Brooklyn Nets delivered their most electrifying and complete offensive performance of the young NBA season on Wednesday night, routing the New Orleans Pelicans 145-111 at the Smoothie King Center behind a blistering 22-point showcase from returning rookie lottery pick Egor Demin.
Demin, the 19-year-old Russian guard who missed the previous six games nursing a painful bone bruise in his right leg, showed zero rust upon checking into the game. Playing with fluid poise and sharp floor vision, Demin knocked down four 3-pointers, matched veteran forward Michael Porter Jr. for the team scoring lead, and orchestrated an offensive barrage that saw eight different Brooklyn players finish in double figures.
The 34-point blowout handed the Nets (3-8) their first victory of a four-game road swing while plunging the injury-ravaged Pelicans (2-9) into deeper turmoil with their fourth consecutive loss.
Rookie marksman injects life into Brooklyn's spacing
Demin’s presence transformed Brooklyn's offensive geometry from his opening shift. Inserting his 6-foot-8 playmaking frame into secondary transition sets, Demin converted 4-of-6 attempts from beyond the arc while generating crisp drive-and-kick reads against a disoriented New Orleans perimeter defense.
"Sitting out for two weeks was tough, but our training staff had me completely ready," Demin told reporters postgame. "When you move the ball and trust your teammates, the basket looks twice as big. Everyone was feeding off each other's energy."
Porter Jr. matched Demin’s 22 points, while Julius Randle dominated the interior with 17 points and seven assists. Off the bench, center Moritz Wagner and sophomore forward Noah Clowney provided relentless energy, scoring 16 points apiece as Brooklyn shot an eye-popping 58.4% from the field and sank 21 three-pointers.
An 83-point opening half sets franchise benchmark
The outcome was effectively decided before the halftime horn sounded. Brooklyn scorched the Pelicans for 83 points in the first 24 minutes, entering the intermission with an 83-66 cushion. The 83-point explosion stands as the third-highest first-half scoring total in the 59-year history of the Nets franchise.
New Orleans star forward Zion Williamson battled aggressively inside, leading all scorers with 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting, but received scant perimeter help as New Orleans surrendered wave after wave of fast-break points and uncontested corner looks.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green lamented his squad's lack of defensive resistance, noting that allowing 145 points on home court is unacceptable at any point in the season. For head coach Jordi Fernández and the Nets, the decisive win provides a vital proof-of-concept for Brooklyn's up-tempo, modern offensive identity as Demin resumes his campaign for Rookie of the Year honors.
Game and injury progression
October 28, 2026: Egor Demin sustains a right leg bone bruise during a home matchup against Milwaukee, initiating a six-game absence.
November 11, 2026, 7:00 p.m. CST: Tip-off at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
November 11, 2026, Halftime: Nets lead 83-66 after recording the third-most prolific first half in franchise history.
November 11, 2026, Final: Brooklyn seals a 145-111 blowout win; Demin concludes with 22 points, improving Brooklyn's record to 3-8.
