Nets’ Noah Clowney was a late scratch after tweaking his left ankle
Brooklyn’s Noah Clooney joined Nick Claxton and Michael Porter Jr. on Wednesday in streetwear.
Will the Nets join many others in a shameful tank race?
While Porter was always ruled out against Indiana, Claxton was downgraded from questionable to experiencing right hip soreness.
Claxton was coming off a career-high 28 points and 10 rebounds in an earlier game against Chicago.
But after Clowney was listed as likely with a sprained left ankle, the Nets said he adjusted it during pregame warmups and was a late scratch.
“Maybe it’s a result of (Claxton) playing very aggressively, playing more than 30 minutes and playing a great game,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “It’s important that we keep him healthy, and it’s important that he goes into the break, gets his body back properly, and when he comes back he’s at full capacity.”
Porter sat out the second straight game with right hamstring tendinitis, and four of his past seven games.
Of course, the Nets haven’t yet been willing to approach the level of chutzpah that many of their tank-race rivals have. They faced a third straight team fielding a skeleton crew, with the Pacers playing without Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin.
First-round pick Nolan Traore is the first Nets rookie with at least 20 points and eight assists since Terrence Williams on April 9, 2010.
He is quickly building chemistry with Igor Demin. Wednesday was the first time they both had five assists in the same game. This was their sixth time starting together.
“It was really cool. Using Nolan’s speed opens things up for everyone, not just me. His ability to get into the paint and spray the ball or finish it is amazing,” DeMaine said. “It helps us a lot and we play faster. I think that will be big.”
Day’Ron Sharpe’s 19 points tied a season high. …The rookie Ben Sarraf equaled his career high with 12 points.
Former Nets big man Buck Williams has been named a finalist for the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Williams — the team’s all-time best player — and the other finalists will be presented to the Honors Committee for consideration for election. The new chapter will be announced on April 4.
Brooklyn celebrated Chinese New Year on Wednesday, including Will Liu’s first-half performance.
“As an organization, we are passionate about supporting the culture. The Year of the Horse brings great energy, not only to the building but to all the fans,” Fernandez said. “We are so happy to embrace this part of the culture and make it a special day.”
