The Nets Embrace the Future Amidst Challenges
The Brooklyn Nets are clearly looking towards the future. With the youngest roster in the NBA and a troublesome losing streak, they don’t have much choice.
On a night when three of their five first-round picks didn’t see action until late in the game, 21-year-old Noah Clowney made a notable impression. He scored a season-high 15 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had two steals in the Nets’ 125-109 defeat to the Timberwolves at Barclays Center.
Clowney, a first-round pick from Alabama in 2023, had been averaging just 4.3 points on a mere 23.3% shooting, but in his first start of the season—filling in for Michael Porter Jr., who was out for personal reasons—he really stepped up.
“I’m really proud of Noah’s aggressiveness and the way he played,” said Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez. “That’s what we want from Noah: fight and physicality. I thought he did very well.”
Clowney contributed to the Nets’ strong start by causing turnovers and making hustle plays. He managed to hit 4-of-12 from three-point range after a rough stretch where he had missed nine consecutive attempts over the past three games.
Before the game, Fernandez had a brief conversation with Clowney. “Just play hard,” Clowney shared. “My mindset was to just pour my energy into the game and not overthink anything. I concentrated on defense, and I guess that helped my shots go in.”
Fernandez doesn’t anticipate that Porter will miss extended time. So far this season, he’s been posting career highs, leading the team in rebounds (8.0) and assists (3.0), while also scoring nearly 21 points a game, just behind Cam Thomas. Additionally, rookie Drake Powell, who sprained his right ankle during a recent game, is expected to recover soon.
“We are not worried,” Fernandez commented. “When he had a sprain last time, he bounced back quickly.”
In other news, Danny Wolf made his debut for the Nets after recovering from an ankle injury. He became the last of the five first-round picks to hit the court in this matchup. He entered the game with just over three minutes left and despite missing his sole shot attempt, he did manage to snag one rebound and provide two assists.
