Brooklyn Nets rookie Drake Powell encountered an early test in his NBA season after his role was sharply reduced in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, drawing direct feedback from head coach Jordi Fernández.
In Brooklyn’s 119-111 loss to Dallas on Friday, Powell played 2 minutes and 41 seconds off the bench during the first quarter. The No. 22 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft recorded one turnover, two fouls, one block, and one assist in that span. After the game, Fernández said Powell and fellow rookie Egor Dëmin lacked “readiness to play,” pointing to mistakes made during their limited minutes. Powell’s reduced role also coincided with Nolan Traore receiving time in the rotation, though Fernández tied the decision to execution rather than long-term status.
- Drake Powell took head coach Jordi Fernández’s tough criticism seriously after a poor showing against Dallas and used it as motivation.
- Powell and fellow rookie Egor Dëmin responded with strong performances in a historic 127-82 win over the Bucks.
- Veterans and coaches continue to support Brooklyn’s young core as the team focuses on long-term development.
A Message Powell Recognized Immediately
The comments resonated with Powell, who said the message matched feedback he had heard earlier in his basketball life.
“It was obviously some of the things I’ve heard before with my player development coach and even when I was younger, going through AAU,” Powell said after practice on Tuesday. “I respect him [Fernández] for that. It just shows that he cares, not only about me as a basketball player but as a human being.”
Powell later spoke with Dëmin about the feedback, and both rookies agreed their response needed to come through their play on the court.
Betting Markets Move With Brooklyn’s Rotation and Injuries
As Brooklyn continued adjusting its lineup, sportsbooks posted varied odds ahead of the Nets’ Dec. 18 home game against the Miami Heat at Barclays Center.
DraftKings opened Miami as a 6.5-point favorite with a 227.5-point total, while FanDuel listed the Heat at -7.5 with a 228.5 total. BetMGM also posted Heat -6.5 and 227.5, while odds boards showed some sportsbooks pushing the spread into double digits. Moneylines ranged from Miami -258 to nearly -300, with Brooklyn priced between +210 and +240.
In the futures market, the Nets sat at +25000 to win the NBA championship, with season win totals set at 15.5, numbers shaped by Brooklyn’s rebuilding timeline and reliance on young players.
Injuries further affected the market. Brooklyn entered the Heat game without Cam Thomas and Nolan Traore, and Miami listed Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic as out. During the game, Powell exited with a right ankle sprain, prompting sportsbooks to pull his live player props.
A Clear On-Court Response in Milwaukee
Two days earlier, Powell had already delivered his response. On Sunday, Brooklyn defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 127-82, the largest blowout win in the Nets’ franchise history, in a game Milwaukee played without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Dëmin scored 17 points, while Powell finished with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 23 minutes, posting a plus-31, the highest mark in the game. Since joining the rotation on Nov. 7, Powell has averaged 21.1 minutes per game and has played at least 13 minutes in every appearance.
Veteran guard Terance Mann, acquired in the same trade that brought Powell to Brooklyn, described the approach veterans have taken with the team’s young players.
“Every game isn’t going to be perfect for them,” Mann said. “Just go out there and give a ton of effort. We try to lead by example.”
Fernández’s Expectations for Young Players
Fernández watched the Milwaukee game from home while dealing with an illness and addressed the rookies’ performance afterward, saying the effort met team standards while also pointing to the need for consistency over a full season.
He spoke about the challenges young players face in the NBA, and both Powell and Dëmin responded by doing what was best for the group.
Powell’s Role and Daily Preparation
Powell, a 20-year-old former North Carolina Tar Heel, has earned steady minutes through defensive effort. Since entering the rotation, he has averaged 6.9 points on 47 percent shooting and 2.3 assists per game. Across 18 games, he is averaging 6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting 48.8% from the field and 37.8% from three-point range.
He has pressured ball handlers such as Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson, switched assignments in the half-court, and disrupted passing lanes. Powell attributed his early impact to film study and preparation with the coaching staff.
“At the end of the day, it’s basketball,” Powell said. “There’s ups and downs. I think it’s just important to stay levelheaded.”
