NBA rookies usually take time to find their voice, but Egor Demin decided to let his actions speak for him on Tuesday night. During the closing moments of the Brooklyn Nets’ 106-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns, the rookie standout had seen enough of Dillon Brooks’ antics, sparking a late-game scuffle that resulted in five technical fouls and an unfortunate injury.
With 1:14 remaining and the Suns leading by two, Brooks and Ziaire Williams got tangled up wrestling for a loose ball. Even after the whistle blew for a jump ball, Brooks refused to let go, leading Demin to forcefully shove the veteran away from his teammate. The situation escalated quickly: Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen jumped in to defend Brooks, while Michael Porter Jr. and Terance Mann joined the fray for Brooklyn as coaching staffs rushed the floor to restore order.
The officials handed out five technical fouls: Demin, Mann, and Porter Jr. (who shoved Suns assistant DeMarre Carroll during the mess) for the Nets; O’Neale and Allen for the Suns. Adding injury to insult, Ziaire Williams was sidelined after being accidentally struck by a member of the Suns’ bench who was running in to break up the fight.
“I just had to get him off Ziaire,” Demin said afterwards. “It was a dead ball, the whistle had already blown. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone or start a fight. I stepped away immediately because I’m not looking for trouble, but I have to make sure my teammates are protected. We have to fight for each other.”
It was a busy night for Brooks, who had already been assessed a Flagrant 1 for a hit on Nic Claxton in the first quarter and a technical for a separate shove on Demin in the second. While the Nets didn’t get the win, Demin sent a clear message: the rookie isn’t backing down from anyone.
SUNS VS. NETS GET INTO IT —
Assistant coaches were everywhere. 👀🍿
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 28, 2026
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