With the schedule getting dense — and the tanking race getting serious — Brooklyn could rest players more frequently.
None will be more important than Michael Porter Jr., who was rested in Sunday’s loss to Memphis.
The Nets fell to 0-7 without Porter this season, blowing an eight-point lead with 2:48 left.
“You guys know the NBA schedule, so (Porter) being out for rest. We play not just 17 games in a month, but we play four games a week for five straight weeks. So, if you go a little bit past the month, and if you think about it’s crazy,” said Jordi Fernández. “We have to prepare our bodies and our minds to play extremely hard, and that’s when you have different lineups.
“It’s important that everybody’s fresh…Going through an NBA season is really hard, and we need to do it as we do it.”
Porter has been the subject of trade reports, though there is no concrete evidence that the Nets are shopping their leading scorer. Marc Stein even threw cold water on recent reports linking Porter to a move.
Danny Wolf got the nod at small forward in lieu of Porter and earned his first career double-double in his third career start. He had 11 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block in a solid all-around outing. He even shot 2-for-5 from deep, but did pass up a look and Fernández suggested the rookie could’ve shot more.
“The defense and the rebounding is outstanding, right? Ten rebounds — seven of them defensive rebounds —which we need him to do because we were missing Michael,” said Fernández. “The aggressiveness, playing off two feet at the rim because they have a lot of good rim protectors and then letting it fly.
“He shot five (3s). I have to watch the film. I still think he could’ve shot at least two or three more, especially late in the game. We needed him to shoot that shot. But I believe he will. He’s willing to do the right things. I don’t want him to get caught in just the negative. He did a lot of good things. We’re going to keep helping him because he’s trying really hard.”
Day’Ron Sharpe snatched a season-high 13 rebounds off the bench.
Rookie point guard Nolan Traore had just four points on 2-of-9 shooting, but is looking more comfortable and confident. He had six assists, no turnovers and was a plus-11, using his speed more effectively.
Ziaire Williams (illness) and Drake Powell (left knee injury management) were also out for the Nets.
Brooklyn lost for the sixth time in its last seven games. The Nets’ first 20 points of the fourth quarter were scored by backups.
Ja Morant was out for Memphis, though Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo insisted it was due to his right calf, not being on the trade block.
“Strictly based on the injury,” claimed Iisalo.
