Noah Clowney has emerged as a standout player this season, offering a glimmer of hope for the Brooklyn Nets amid a challenging year marked by rebuilding efforts.
Despite scoring a season-high 22 points during Sunday’s defeat against the Toronto Raptors, Clowney’s performance included a critical mistake—a missed three-pointer in the final minutes. This moment serves as a valuable learning experience for the young player.
With the Nets committed to nurturing a historic group of five first-round rookies, Clowney’s progress at just 21 years old is an encouraging development for the franchise.
Initially, Clowney faced difficulties coming off the bench in the first six games, where he managed only 4.3 points per game on 23.3 percent shooting, including 18.2 percent from beyond the arc. However, his performance has significantly improved since he secured a spot in the starting lineup.
As a starter, Clowney is averaging 15.1 points per game. He is currently enjoying a career-best streak, scoring at least 12 points in six consecutive games. During this stretch, he has averaged 16 points and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.9 percent overall and 35.7 percent from three-point range.
Last season, Clowney struggled with driving to the basket due to his lack of size and decision-making skills. This year, however, he has transformed this aspect of his game into a strength, exemplified by a powerful drive and dunk over Seton Hall alumnus Sandro Mamukelashvili.
But with the score knotted at 98-98 and the Nets still searching for their first lead of the night, Clowney forced a 3-pointer and airballed it badly. Mamukelashvili rebounded it, and the Raptors went ahead on the ensuing possession.
The Nets never took the lead.
Tyrese Martin led all players with a season-high 26 points off the bench, shooting 5-of-9 from deep and a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. It’s the second-highest scoring game of Martin’s career and the most scored by a Nets reserve this season.
Michael Porter Jr. had 25 points on 4-of-9 shooting from behind the arc, with six rebounds and four assists.
It extended his career-long streak of 20-point outings to nine, tying Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges for the longest by a Net since Kevin Durant had 14 in a row from Dec. 4, 2022, to Jan. 6, 2023.
Nic Claxton (10 points, 11 boards) notched his 80th career double-double, tied with Keith Van Horn for the ninth most in franchise history. His two blocks leaves him with 556 in his career, three shy of tying Derrick Coleman (559) for the fifth most by a Net.
After the best game of his career in Friday’s win at Boston, rookie Egor Dëmin was 2-of-10 with a bad miss late.
The Nets played without Thomas, Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf.
Jakob Poeltl (back) was out for Toronto, while RJ Barrett left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury.
The Nets on Monday host the Knicks, whom they haven’t beaten since January 2023.
