The Brooklyn Nets will have Michael Porter Jr. and Igor Demin available for the first time in a back-to-back in more than two months on Friday. Neither Porter nor Demin appeared on Brooklyn's injury report ahead of Friday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both played during Thursday's 112-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Nets have carefully managed the workloads of Porter and Demin this season. No one has come forward since the beginning of December.
Porter has suffered numerous back injuries throughout his career and suffered a "minor" MCL sprain earlier this season. Meanwhile, Damien missed most of the offseason due to a torn plantar fascia.
Michael Porter Jr. and Igor Demin available for back-to-back for first time in several months
Porter and Demin's light workloads on Thursday after extended layoffs during the All-Star break likely played a role in their availability on Friday. The former played only 20 minutes, while Demin played 26 minutes during a wire-to-wire blowout loss in Cleveland.
Brooklyn will face an Oklahoma City team that is without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain) and Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain/left ankle sprain).
The Nets will be without Nick Claxton, who is out after spraining his right ankle during practice on Wednesday. Ziare Williams will also be unable to participate in the game due to personal reasons.
After Thursday's loss, the Nets are tied with the Washington Wizards for fourth place in the draft lottery standings. They are tied in the win column and twice behind the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans in the loss column, who are in second place.
