Claxton’s Career Night, Rookie Surge Power Nets Past Bulls
No Michael Porter Jr. No Egor Dëmin.
That combination has usually meant long nights for the Brooklyn Nets this season. But Monday at Barclays Center?
Something shifted.
Led by a career-high 28 points from Nic Claxton and a breakout performance from rookie Noah Clowney, the Nets dug deep and found just enough to outlast the Chicago Bulls, 123-115. It wasn’t always smooth, and it certainly wasn’t mistake-free, but it was gritty, energetic, and just what this team needed to string together back-to-back wins for the first time in weeks.
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Brooklyn came into the night 0-6 without Dëmin. That stat alone tells you how much the rookie has meant to this team. But with three other rookies stepping up in a big way and Claxton anchoring both ends of the floor, the Nets found a formula that worked.
Clowney Sets the Tone Early
Noah Clowney wasted no time making his presence felt. The rookie forward came out firing, scoring 12 of Brooklyn’s 27 points in the opening quarter.
He hit four of his first five shots, including three from beyond the arc, showing off the kind of offensive versatility that had scouts buzzing on draft night. When his jumper is falling, Clowney changes the geometry of the floor.
And on Monday, it was falling.
Chicago, led by Collin Sexton’s matching 12-point first quarter, kept pace. With Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey chipping in, the Bulls edged ahead 31-27 after one.
Drake Powell Delivers the Spark
Drake Powell only had two points in the first quarter, but they were the kind of two points that shift momentum. A thunderous right-handed slam in transition over Patrick Williams brought the Barclays crowd to its feet and gave the Nets a jolt of energy.
Powell wasn’t done. With Clowney on the bench, he stayed aggressive, scoring nine more in the second quarter and keeping the offense afloat until the starters returned.
Claxton Takes Over
That’s when Nic Claxton flipped the switch.
The big man scored 10 points in the final five minutes of the half, all at the rim, powering Brooklyn to a 60-54 halftime lead. His 15 first-half points were his highest in any half this season and tied for the fifth-most in a half in his career. He was relentless, attacking mismatches, finishing through contact, and controlling the paint.
Claxton didn’t cool off after the break. He opened the third quarter with an alley-oop finish off Nolan Traoré’s ninth assist, then stepped out and calmly knocked down just his third three-pointer of the season. That pushed Brooklyn’s lead to 71-59 and gave the Nets a bit of breathing room - at least temporarily.
Turnovers Let Chicago Back In
The third quarter was a mixed bag. Brooklyn shot 50% from the field and held Chicago to 43.5%, but the Nets couldn’t get out of their own way.
Nine turnovers in the period gave the Bulls extra possessions, and they made the most of them. Chicago turned those giveaways into seven points and lived at the free-throw line, flipping the momentum and tying the game at 89 heading into the fourth.
It was the kind of swing that’s haunted this team all season. But this time, they responded.
Claxton Closes, Rookies Rise
Claxton added eight more points in the fourth, capping off a 28-point night that was as efficient as it was assertive. Brooklyn shot 60% in the final quarter and outscored the Bulls 34-26 to put the game away.
And the rookies? They didn’t just fill in - they made winning plays.
- Nolan Traoré had his best game as a Net, finishing with 13 points and a career-high 13 assists in 32 minutes. That’s the most assists by a Nets rookie since Terrence Williams dropped 14 back in 2010, and it marked Traoré’s first career double-double.
- Drake Powell continued his strong night with 14 points and five rebounds in just 23 minutes, showing poise and athleticism well beyond his years.
- Danny Wolf, making his eighth start, added 13 points, six boards, and two steals - another steady, two-way performance from a rookie who’s quietly carving out a role.
- Ben Saraf didn’t have his shot working (1-for-6 from the field), but he still contributed with three assists in 13 minutes, keeping the ball moving and the offense organized.
Imperfect, But Effective
Brooklyn turned the ball over 20 times - that’s not a recipe for long-term success. But they made up for it by dominating the paint (66-48) and running in transition (22-12 advantage). They also got timely stops, hit big shots, and leaned on their youth - not as a crutch, but as a weapon.
Anfernee Simons led the Bulls with 23 points, but Chicago couldn’t capitalize on Brooklyn’s mistakes down the stretch.
Now at 15-37, the Nets are far from where they want to be. But on a night without two key rotation players, they found a way to win - and that matters.
The rookies are growing. Claxton is stepping up.
And with one game left before the All-Star break, Brooklyn has a chance to head into the pause with a little momentum.
They’ll be back at Barclays on Wednesday to face the Indiana Pacers.