On a night when the Nets were downsized, Dorian Finney-Smith was ready to carry his team for more than 40 minutes even if Nic Claxton was ruled out.
Claxton made his first start against the Grizzlies on Monday after injuring his hamstring during the preseason, but the Nets were without Noah Clowney, Ben Simmons and Dayron Sharpe.
The Nets needed more from the ninth-year forward on this night, as he had 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal in a 106-104 victory over the Grizzlies at Barclays, the Nets' fourth win of the season. contributed to. center.
After the win, Claxton said of Finney-Smith, “He was very energetic, reliable and healthy.” “He's going to guard one through five for us night in and night out. And we need players like that, especially now with the injuries. He said that tonight. , that if I don't play, he's ready to play over 40. That's definitely something to take your hat off to.
Eight of Finney-Smith's points came in the fourth quarter, including a decisive 3-point dagger to break a 101-point tie with less than a minute to go in the game. took the lead with the rest of the game.
He made 5 of 8 shots from deep, becoming the second player in team history to record five 3-pointers and five offensive boards in a game. The last player to accomplish this feat was Kyrie Irving on December 9, 2022.
Finney-Smith has scored just nine points in the past three games.
“Just my team, dude. Even though I've been struggling the last few games, they still believe in me and tell me to shoot the ball every time I'm open,” Finney said. Smith said Monday. “Even when I'm not making shots, it feels good to have people around me pushing me.”
The third-year Nets was tired from guarding just about everyone, from point guards like Jamal Murray to forwards like Jaren Jackson Jr., so he had to use his legs a little more on Monday. I noticed.
“Do [Finney-Smith] I kept shooting and everyone went inside. Can I always be in control? No, but we control it just to take the good ones,” said head coach Jordi Fernandes. “He did that and I was very happy because I put him in a tough position. He's been guarding the center, he's been guarding the point guard. The fact that you can see him compete defensively and also see the shots go in, there's no one who deserves it more.”
Injury concerns have eased for the Nets this week.
Clowney missed Monday's game with soreness in his right hip after undergoing an MRI in the morning ahead of the game against the Grizzlies, but told the Post after the win that he was hopeful of playing Friday against the Celtics.
“It hurts, but you should be okay. Yeah,” Clowney said. The unusual three-day gap between games will also help. “That's great. Time to recover. Get ready for the next game.”
Ben Simmons rested Monday at the end of a back-to-back to relieve strain on his lower back.
The Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown (left hip flexor) and Kristaps Porzingis (rehabilitating tibialis tendon surgery) against the Warriors on Wednesday. Brown has missed the Celtics' last two games.
