The Nets will be shorthanded again Monday night at Barclays Center. Brooklyn ruled out Egor Dëmin (left plantar fascia injury management), Day’Ron Sharpe (illness and throat contusion) and Cam Thomas (left hamstring injury management) for tonight’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns, removing thr ee key pieces from a rotation that has already been in flux over the last week. Thomas’ absence is the most notable from a workload standpoint, as the guard has shouldered a major share of Brooklyn’s scoring responsibility off the bench since returning from a lengthy injury absence. With him unavailable, the Nets’ reserves need to manufacture offense through committee, leaning on ball movement and pace. The 24-year-old did step up as a facilitator in Sunday’s 124-102 loss to the Chicago Bulls, tying his career high with 10 assists in 24 minutes despite going just 1-for-6 from the field. He’s averaged 14 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his last 10 appearances while shooting 40.8% from the field. “I’m not going to believe that he’s going to go 1-for-6 ever again,” head coach Jordi Fernández said. “So, I’m OK with him taking those shots…10 assists to one turnover, that’s elite, and he’s more than capable of doing it. He can see the game. He’s a smart player… Very proud of him. And the way he played, he shared the basketball, made the simple play over and over and over and that’s the CT with the play making that we want to see.” Dëmin’s status also impacts the backcourt. The rookie has been one of Brooklyn’s more promising developmental pieces, with Fernández consistently challenging him to play with more physicality and defensive presence as he continues to impress with his poise and outside shooting. Without him available, the Nets’ guard rotation becomes thinner, and the ball-handling burden is likely to fall on other young guards in the group, including Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf depending on how Fernández staggers minutes. Sharpe’s absence takes away a layer of depth behind Nic Claxton in the frontcourt. He’s been a steady presence as a rebounder and physical force inside when healthy, and without him, the Nets may be forced into smaller lineups or heavier minutes for Claxton against a Suns team that can punish mistakes with size and shooting. While the Nets will be without three regular contributors, they will get back two important pieces. Michael Porter Jr. and Drake Powell are both available after previously dealing with injury management. Porter’s return helps stabilize the lineup immediately, especially with Thomas out, and his availability gives Brooklyn its most reliable scoring option while also allowing Fernández more flexibility in his wing rotation. Powell’s return is also significant for a Nets team that’s been searching for consistent defensive energy and perimeter toughness. His presence gives Brooklyn another option to throw at Phoenix’s scoring threats. The rookie wing had started three straight games before Sunday’s absence. Fellow rookie Ben Saraf remains in the G League, continuing his development away from the NBA roster. ...read more read less