Ben

Saraf

Saraf will miss Sunday’s game due to back tightness, freeing up minutes behind starting point guard Nolan Traoré.

Saraf is dealing with back tightness, casting some doubt on his availability for Sunday’s game. Nolan Traoré is available, and his status as the starting point guard won’t change. If Saraf doesn’t play, Malachi Smith would figure more prominently in the rotation.

Traoré played a team-high 29 minutes in Friday’s defeat, and the rookie has started every game that he’s been available for since January 29. The final few games of the regular season will be important for Traoré and fellow rookies Drake Powell (6/2/4/2/1) and Ben Saraf (2/2/4) as the Nets’ decision-makers continue to evaluate them with an eye toward 2026-27. The Nets finish their Week 23 slate on Sunday against the Wizards.

While Traoré provided good value in the assist and steal categories, he was terribly inefficient against the Lakers. In addition to shooting 4-of-14 from the field, the rookie was responsible for six turnovers in 26 minutes. Ben Saraf dropped into the backup point guard role after starting the last time out, finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 22 minutes. Sunday’s game against the Kings is not part of a back-to-back, which may keep Traoré in the starting lineup. However, if he sits, Saraf will be worth streaming in deep leagues.

Traoré’s availability for Friday’s game will likely push Ben Saraf to the bench. Saraf will remain in the rotation, but he is not worth rostering when coming off the bench.

Saraf played 34 minutes on Wednesday and showcased his ability to affect the game as both a passer and scorer. He was one of Brooklyn’s top scorers on the night, as he used the three-point shot to his advantage. And not only did he lead the Nets in assists, but he also led all players in Wednesday’s contest in that category. Saraf has come on strong over the stretch of his rookie season and continues to put up quality numbers for a Nets team that is far from playoff contention.

The Nets have three new starters for Wednesday’s game, with Williams and Claxton being the holdovers. Saraf, Powell and Mann will fill out the starting five, and they offer limited streaming upside.

With Traore sidelined, fellow rookie Ben Saraf should get the starting nod at point guard. Saraf has been a solid source of points, assists and steals lately, and he should be productive in an increased role. However, he is too inefficient to be worth rostering in category leagues.

Brooklyn lists a whopping seven players as out tonight, as the Nets speed toward a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With Mann and Powell out, more minutes should be available for Nolan Traoré, Ziaire Williams, Ben Saraf and Ochai Agbaji.

While Saraf still has work to do as a perimeter shooter, as evidenced by his 0-of-6 night from three, he was highly efficient inside of the arc. The rookie guard shot 10-of-14 from two, while also providing solid value in assists and steals. Nolan Traoré remains the starting point guard, but Egor Dëmin (foot) being out for the rest of the season has opened up more opportunities for Saraf.