Nic Claxton Leads Nets Past Bulls in Battle of Rebuilding Squads
Nic Claxton was everywhere for Brooklyn on Monday night, and the box score tells only part of the story. With 28 points and 10 rebounds, the big man anchored both ends of the floor as the Nets pulled out a 123-113 win over the Chicago Bulls at home. It’s the second straight win for a Nets team that’s starting to find some rhythm-even while missing key pieces.
Claxton’s performance was the kind of steady, high-efficiency outing that Brooklyn has come to rely on. He owned the paint, finishing strong around the rim and cleaning up the glass, all while setting the tone defensively.
But he wasn’t alone. Rookie Noah Clowney stepped up with 20 points, showing off a growing offensive game that’s becoming harder to ignore.
Drake Powell added 14 off the bench, while fellow rookies Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore chipped in 13 apiece. Ziaire Williams rounded out the scoring with 11.
For a team still figuring out its identity post-superstar era, this was the kind of balanced effort that gives you something to build on.
The Nets took control early in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 14-5 burst that pushed their lead to 74-59. But the Bulls didn’t fold.
Chicago responded with a 30-15 run over the final nine minutes of the quarter, tying things up at 89 heading into the fourth. Suddenly, it was a ballgame again.
Isaac Okoro gave the Bulls their first lead since the second quarter with a pair of free throws two minutes into the fourth. At 93-91, momentum seemed to be swinging Chicago’s way. But the Nets quickly answered with a 12-6 run of their own, retaking the lead at 103-99 and never looking back.
Down the stretch, it was the rookies who helped seal it. Wolf’s layup with 3:33 to go gave Brooklyn a bit of breathing room, and Claxton followed with two clutch free throws on the next possession to stretch the lead to 115-107. From there, the Nets did enough to close the door.
Chicago, meanwhile, dropped its fifth straight despite a solid showing from Anfernee Simons, who led the way with 23 points. Collin Sexton added 19 off the bench, and rookie Matas Buzelis contributed 18, but the Bulls couldn’t get enough stops when it mattered most.
Both teams came into the night shorthanded. Brooklyn was without leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (right knee tendinitis) and rookie guard Egor Demin (rest). Chicago was missing a handful of rotation players, including Zach Collins (sprained right toe), Josh Giddey and Tre Jones (both dealing with hamstring injuries), and Noa Essengue (recovering from shoulder surgery).
In a matchup between two rebuilding Eastern Conference squads, the Nets took three of the four meetings this season-a small but meaningful edge as both franchises look to develop their young cores.
Up Next: The Bulls head to Boston for a tough road matchup on Wednesday night.