<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-critical-take-performance-recieving-100-million-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton has critical take on performance after receiving near-$100 million contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nic-Claxton-has-critical-reaction-to-his-slow-start-to-2024-25-campaign.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton has critical take on performance after receiving near-$100 million contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-25T08:27:39-08:00">December 25th, 8:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-25T08:37:33-08:00">December 25th, 8:37am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract">Brooklyn Nets expected Nic Claxton to reach another level</a> when they committed nearly $100 million to him this summer. He hasn’t done it early this season. In fact, he’s regressed, and he knows it.</p><p>“I’m not pleased with nothing, honestly. I need to be better, more consistent,” Claxton said of his performance. “[I need to improve] everywhere: rebounding, free throws, protecting the rim, more blocks. I need to do everything better. Be more aggressive on offense. Everything.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Asked Nic Claxton for one area he's been pleased with his performance this season and one he'd like to improve:</p><p>"I'm not pleased with nothing… I need to be better." <a href="https://t.co/LuQkEVmsDP">pic.twitter.com/LuQkEVmsDP</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1871400762762530839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Several developments have contributed to Claxton’s slow start to the 2024-25 campaign. The sixth-year center missed the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury, which forced him to play on a minutes restriction to start the year. He also missed time due to a lower back injury, which he received an epidural for and later <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-long-term-injury-admission-after-receiving-epidural">revealed he had been battling since the summer</a>.</p><h2>Analyzing Nic Claxton’s slow start to the season with rebuilding Nets</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nic-Claxton_90d6b6.jpg"><figcaption>Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Offensively, Claxton has averaged 9.3 points, albeit while playing five fewer minutes per game than his previous two seasons. After ranking fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage over the last two years, he’s shooting 59.4 percent, his lowest since his rookie campaign.</p><p>His pick-and-roll impact has plummeted, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving being replaced by Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Schroder and Ben Simmons as the Nets’ primary ball-handlers during the last two seasons. Claxton averaged 1.36 points per possession as a pick-and-roll roll man in 2022-23, the fifth-highest among 80 big men to run the play over 50 times. He’s averaging 1.07 points per possession on the play this season.</p><p>Claxton’s pedestrian offensive numbers have taken another hit with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-brooklyns-dennis-schroder-trade-having-desired-effect-as-offense-plummets">Simmons replacing Schroder at point guard</a> over Brooklyn’s last four games. The 25-year-old has averaged 7.8 points on 44.8 percent shooting. He turned in his worst shooting performance of the season during Monday’s 110-95 loss to the Miami Heat, scoring six points while converting 1-of-7 attempts.</p><p>“It’s been different [with Ben replacing Dennis],” he said following the loss. “Obviously, the space is different, but today, I just couldn’t finish. I was 1-for-7. I don’t know if I’ve ever since I’ve been in the league shot 1-for-7. It’s different, but I’ll adjust… They were good [looks]. Most of them were good… Those are just like those little short shots, the hooks and easy layups. I just gotta finish them.”</p><p>On the surface, Claxton’s defensive dropoff has been more concerning.</p><h2>Is Nic Claxton making a defensive impact this season?</h2><p>The former second-round pick had established a reputation as one of the NBA’s top defensive centers over the previous two seasons, ranking second in stocks (steals + blocks) behind only Brook Lopez. He averaged 3.1 per game during that span compared to 2.0 this season.</p><p>However, the advanced numbers paint a kinder picture. With Claxton on the floor, <a href="https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/players?stat_category=onoff_efficiency">opponents score</a><a href="https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/players?stat_category=onoff_efficiency"> 4.4 fewer points</a> per 100 possessions, placing him in the 78th percentile among NBA big men, per CleaningTheGlass. He’s also securing a career-high 35.7 percent of his contested defensive rebounds, ranking 11th among 42 centers to play at least 400 minutes. That number was lower than 26 percent during the previous two years.</p><p>The Nets have not put Claxton in optimal situations to perform during a tanking season. However, teams don’t give $100 million contracts to players who only perform when conditions are favorable. They give them to players who produce regardless of circumstance.</p><p>Claxton must raise his play significantly to live up to Brooklyn’s near-nine-figure commitment, and he’s confident he will.</p><p>“Time, rhythm, and mentally just keeping myself in a good place with everything,” he said of his approach amid his slow start. “Just finding that consistency and finding my swagger through everything that’s going on. It’s on me, though. I’ll be better.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton has critical take on performance after receiving near-$100 million contract

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-ejected-raptors-game-shocking-move');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nic Claxton ejected from Raptors game after shocking move');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nic-Claxton-ejected-from-Raptors-game-after-shocking-move.jpg"></figure><h1>Nic Claxton ejected from Raptors game after shocking move</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T18:28:20-08:00">December 19th, 6:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T18:28:20-08:00">December 19th, 6:28pm</time><address><a>David Yapkowitz</a>David Yapkowitz is an NBA Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a credentialed reporter based in Los Angeles who covers the NBA/WNBA, NCAA/NCAAW and boys/girls high school basketball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets may have been in a close game against the Toronto Raptors early in the second quarter, but they’re going to have to play the rest of the game without <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-reacts-season-best-performance-amid-slow-start-2024-25">starting big man Nic Claxton</a> who was ejected.</p><p>Nic Claxton was ejected with a little over eight minutes to go in the second quarter after <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1869917830621343945" rel="noopener">he tossed the ball</a> into the stands following a foul call. Claxton was bringing the ball up court on the break and was fouled by Kelly Olynyk. As the play was winding down, Claxton threw the ball into the stands and the nearest referee immediately signaled for an ejection.</p><p>Claxton was apparently upset over a no-call on the previous Nets’ offensive possession against the Raptors. Up to that point, Claxton had seven points, five rebounds and one blocked shot in a little over ten minutes.</p><p>This past offseason, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-earns-100-million-contract-before-free-agency">Claxton re-signed with the Nets</a> on a four-year deal worth around $100 million. Claxton had solidified himself as the Nets’ starting center.</p><p>But to begin the 2024-25 season, Claxton was coming off the bench as he dealt with a hamstring issue and the team was managing his minutes. He’s also been managing a back injury this season and has appeared in 20 games for the Nets with 12 starts.</p><p>Claxton was moved back into the starting lineup permanently at the beginning of the month, and he’s started to look more the promising player the Nets envision as part of their future core. He’s been averaging 9.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 blocked shots with splits of 62.3 percent shooting from the field, 25 percent shooting from the three-point line and 46.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line.</p><p>The former Georgia standout was the No. 31 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Nets. This is his sixth season in the NBA, all with the Nets.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nic Claxton ejected from Raptors game after shocking move

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-reacts-season-best-performance-amid-slow-start-2024-25');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton reacts to season-best performance amid slow start to 2024-25');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nic-Claxton-reacts-to-season-best-performance-amid-slow-start-to-2024-25.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton reacts to season-best performance amid slow start to 2024-25</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-09T09:47:35-08:00">December 9th, 9:47am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-09T09:54:05-08:00">December 9th, 9:54am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets haven’t gotten the production <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract">they expected from Nic Claxton</a> to start 2024-25. After signing a contract just short of nine figures, the sixth-year center has struggled to make his normal impact while battling hamstring and back injuries.</p><p>Claxton received an epidural injection in November for a lower back strain, which he initially sustained over the summer and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-long-term-injury-admission-after-receiving-epidural">admitted will require management throughout the season</a>. He entered Sunday averaging 9.1 points, 7.6 rebounds 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game. However, during <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jordi-fernandez-atrocious-reaction-players-effort-late-game-collapse-vs-bucks">a 119-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks</a>, the 25-year-old flashed the two-way impact that earned him a life-changing contract.</p><p>Claxton posted a season-high 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting with 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.</p><p>“I’m just getting my flow back,” he said postgame. “That’s just me playing more games. My body, everything is just starting to come together. I need to be aggressive for us [offensively], especially right now with Cam [Thomas] being out and us missing some scoring.”</p><p>The longest-tenured Net played a season-high 33 minutes during the loss. It marked his first game in 2024-25 with multiple steals and blocks after he ranked fourth in the NBA in stocks (steals + blocks) over the previous two seasons.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nic Claxton REJECTS Giannis at the rim 😳<a href="https://t.co/9LwgSErkex">pic.twitter.com/9LwgSErkex</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1865874513340019180?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2>Nic Claxton flashes two-way dominance during Nets’ loss vs. Bucks</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nic-Claxton.jpg"><figcaption>John Jones-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton developed a reputation as one of the NBA’s top defenders over the last two seasons. He also made noticeable strides offensively during that span, shooting 66.7 percent from the field, the league’s fifth-highest mark.</p><p>His aggressiveness against Milwaukee’s frontline of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis was a step back in that direction.</p><p>“[I saw] Nic being Nic,” Dorian Finney-Smith said of the performance. “In the NBA, all it takes is a good three weeks and he’s right back to his numbers… He’s been hurt all summer. He’s been in and out of the lineup. So it’s hard to get your rhythm, especially playing as a big nowadays. It ain’t like they’re throwing you the ball 15 times and telling you to go get a bucket.”</p><p>“He’s gotta work for his points and his lobs and stuff like that. He’s gotta build that chemistry with guards to even get those lobs. So I know he’s happy to finally find his rhythm.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">MAJOR CLAX ATTACK!!! <a href="https://t.co/y6gFxfZLIZ">pic.twitter.com/y6gFxfZLIZ</a></p><p>— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets/status/1865862835311456324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Claxton has reached double figures in his last three appearances, averaging 16.0 points on 65.6 shooting while attempting 10.7 shots per game. The stretch marks his first time reaching double-digit shot attempts in a game this season. He averaged 5.9 shots per game over his first 15 appearances.</p><p>The Georgia product returning to form would be a welcome sight for the Nets, who rank 26th in defensive rebounding percentage, 27th in offensive rebounding percentage, 28th in points in the paint and 18th in opponents points in the paint.</p><p>“I’m feeling better, mentally, physically, everything’s just coming together,” Claxton said. “Just knowing that my back is ok, so I’m trusting my body, I’m putting the work in, and I’m getting back into the flow of things.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton reacts to season-best performance amid slow start to 2024-25

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-jordi-fernandez-reveals-nic-claxton-management-plan-center-battles-back-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Jordi Fernandez reveals Nic Claxton ‘management plan’ as center battles back injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nets-news-nic-claxton-receives-concerning-injury-update-before-mavs-game.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Jordi Fernandez reveals Nic Claxton ‘management plan’ as center battles back injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-30T13:19:00-08:00">November 30th, 1:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-30T13:28:25-08:00">November 30th, 1:28pm</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Nic Claxton <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-noah-clowney-injuries-adding-frontcourt-struggles">has not made the impact the Brooklyn Nets expected this season</a> after signing a four-year, $97 million contract. The sixth-year center has seen an inconsistent role due to a nagging back injury.</p><p>Claxton has been battling the back ailment since the summer, which he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-long-term-injury-admission-after-receiving-epidural">told reporters will require management</a> throughout the season. Head coach Jordi Fernandez <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1862638928240496981" rel="noopener">echoed a similar message</a> when asked whether the injury would require the starting center to play on a minutes restriction moving forward.</p><p>“We’re going to manage it, but the good news was that everything was clean,” the Nets coach said before Friday’s 123-100 loss to the Orlando Magic. “We’re going to need to put in a certain kind of work in with him, but other than that, we’re very happy that he can trust the process and keep working and just be 100% as far as, like, being in shape and now having a rhythm.</p><p>If Nic just keeps working, I don’t know in how many weeks, but soon enough, he’ll be the best version of himself, and that’s what we want… We just need his body to be there and play those low-to-mid 30s and we will be in a very good place.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jordi Fernandez on whether Nic Claxton's back injury will require a minutes restriction moving forward:</p><p>"We're going to manage it, but the good news was that everything was clean. We're going to need to put in a certain kind of work with him… I don't know how many weeks, but… <a href="https://t.co/MjaINPqNrG">pic.twitter.com/MjaINPqNrG</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1862638928240496981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Claxton returned for the Orlando loss after missing the Nets’ previous two games, posting eight points on 4-of-6 shooting with seven rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 26 minutes. He came off the bench, as he did during the first eight games of the season while returning from a hamstring injury.</p><h2>Nic Claxton struggling to reach full strength in first year of contract</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton_2d880e.jpg"><figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton has averaged 8.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks on 65.4 percent shooting over 14 appearances. He’s bounced between the Nets’ first and second units while struggling to reach his accustomed workload.</p><p>The 25-year-old worked up to playing 32 minutes in back-to-back matchups in early November. However, he was forced out by a lower back strain soon after, which <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-is-nic-claxton-playing-knicks-latest-update">required him to receive an epidural</a>.</p><p>Fernandez has emphasized throughout the start of the season that Brooklyn will be cautious with injuries. Given the nature of Claxton’s injury and the team’s low expectations, there should be no urgency to rush his progression.</p><p>Brooklyn will receive reinforcements at center next week, with Day’Ron Sharpe set to return to the lineup. The 23-year-old has been sidelined since training camp due to a hamstring strain.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Jordi Fernandez reveals Nic Claxton ‘management plan’ as center battles back injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-noah-clowney-injuries-adding-frontcourt-struggles');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets struggling to find frontcourt continuity amid Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney injuries');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Brooklyn-continues-shuffling-frontcourt-rotation-as-injuries-pile-up.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets struggling to find frontcourt continuity amid Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney injuries</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-27T13:38:39-08:00">November 27th, 1:38pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-27T13:47:35-08:00">November 27th, 1:47pm</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets’ frontcourt <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-pair-injuries-could-aid-brooklyns-tank-coming-weeks">has yet to reach full strength this season</a>. And just as the team is close to welcoming a piece back, another will be sidelined for an extended period.</p><p>Day’Ron Sharpe is expected to return to the lineup within the next week, the team announced on Wednesday. The fourth-year center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-dayron-sharpe-trendon-watford-miss-start-season-hamstring-injuries">has been out since training camp due to a hamstring injury</a>.</p><p>However, the Nets lost second-year forward Noah Clowney to an ankle sprain on Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. The 20-year-old will miss at least two weeks with the injury. Clowney turned in one of the best performances of his career before exiting in Sacramento, posting 18 points on a career-high-tying five-made threes.</p><p>Meanwhile, starting center Nic Claxton has been in and out of the lineup while battling a back injury. The Nets ruled Claxton out for Wednesday’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns, marking his fifth absence in their last seven games.</p><h2>Nets struggling to find continuity in frontcourt as injuries pile up</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Noah-Clowney-and-DayRon-Sharpe.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Sharpe’s return will offer a boost to Brooklyn’s backup center spot, which has belonged primarily to Ben Simmons early this season. The 2021 first-round pick emerged as a legitimate rotation piece in 2023-24, averaging 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting in 15.1 minutes per game. He ranked second in the NBA in rebounding percentage, behind only Andre Drummond.</p><p>Depth at the center position has grown essential as Claxton battles a lingering back ailment. After receiving an epidural during a recent three-game absence, the 25-year-old <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-long-term-injury-admission-after-receiving-epidural">revealed he initially hurt his back during the summer</a>. He added that the injury will be “long-term” and require management throughout the season.</p><p>Claxton returned for matchups with the Philadelphia 76ers and Kings last week. However, he was a late scratch for Monday’s win over the Golden State Warriors and will be sidelined in Phoenix, with the team calling him day-to-day.</p><p>The Nets had high hopes for Claxton this season after signing him to a four-year, $97 million contract. Head Jordi Fernandez said the sixth-year center will step into an expanded offensive role. However, that’s yet to come to fruition, with the Georgia product facing an uphill battle to reach full strength.</p><p>Claxton missed the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury and opened the year on a minutes restriction before his recent back flare-up. He’s averaged 8.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game across 13 appearances.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets struggling to find frontcourt continuity amid Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney injuries

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-long-term-injury-admission-after-receiving-epidural');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton makes “long-term” back injury admission after receiving epidural');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nets-news-Nic-Claxton-injury-admission-draws-honest-response-from-Jordi-Fernandez.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton makes “long-term” back injury admission after receiving epidural</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-23T06:36:29-08:00">November 23rd, 6:36am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-23T09:27:52-08:00">November 23rd, 9:27am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Brooklyn Nets center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-pair-injuries-could-aid-brooklyns-tank-coming-weeks">Nic Claxton received an epidural last week</a> for a back injury that sidelined him for three games. He returned during Friday’s 113-98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers but admitted the injury will be “long-term” and need managing throughout the season.</p><p>“Everybody always manages something, but this, I’ll probably be managing it for a while. I can’t put a date on it, but it’ll be a while,” Claxton said.</p><p>Claxton, who signed a four-year, $97 million contract this offseason, said the back injury has lingered after he initially sustained it during the summer. The 25-year-old also injured his hamstring during training camp, causing him to miss the preseason.</p><h2>Nic Claxton’s role with Nets fluctuates while battling nagging back injury</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton_2cec46.jpg"><figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton came off the bench against Philadelphia due to a minutes restriction. He posted 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists on 6-of-9 shooting and was a team-best +2 in 22 minutes.</p><p>The sixth-year center has alternated between the bench and starting lineup this season as the Nets attempt to manage his injuries. He came off the bench for Brooklyn’s first eight games before <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-ben-simmons-blunt-reaction-benching-during-loss-to-celtics">replacing Ben Simmons in the starting lineup</a> for a recent three-game stretch.</p><p>While his latest back flare-up moved him back to the second unit, Claxton <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1860187819882209341" rel="noopener">said the fluctuating role does not affect him</a>.</p><p>“Whenever you get on the court, we’re basketball players, so we just gotta hoop,” he said. “I mean, it’s different starting and coming off the bench, but whatever the coaches want, we both [myself and Simmons] just gotta adjust and be ready to play.”</p><p>With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-latest-win-shows-sean-marks-work-before-trade-deadline">the Nets eyeing a top draft pick</a>, they will likely take a cautious approach with injuries as the season progresses. Head coach Jordi Fernandez <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1860093161810591918" rel="noopener">wouldn’t expand on the extent</a> of Claxton’s back ailment.</p><p>While Brooklyn’s performance team deemed the center healthy enough to play, the coach said the decision of whether to take the floor is ultimately up to the player.</p><p>“The team, the medical team, and performance, they’ve been addressing it. And obviously, if he plays, it’s because we believe he is 100% or 200% [ready] to play,” Fernandez said. “As you know, bumps and bruises in this league are part of the business, but he’s doing good… For us, it’s [about] guys feeling good. We can tell them you’re clear from our end, but then players have to believe that… They gotta make the decision as well. So once he plays, he is healthy to play.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton makes “long-term” back injury admission after receiving epidural

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/is-nets-nic-claxton-playing-vs-76ers-latest-nba-cup-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Nets’ Nic Claxton playing vs. 76ers? Latest NBA Cup injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Nic-Claxton-reveals-worrisome-ankle-injury-diagnosis-amid-extended-absence.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Nets’ Nic Claxton playing vs. 76ers? Latest NBA Cup injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-22T08:29:10-08:00">November 22nd, 8:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-22T10:42:28-08:00">November 22nd, 10:42am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-dayron-sharpe-clear-injury-return-timelines">Brooklyn Nets are nearing full strength</a> entering Friday’s NBA Cup matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. Nic Claxton is on the injury report alongside Dorian Finney-Smith, with <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1859991520369406199" rel="noopener">both players listed as probable</a>. Claxton is dealing with a lower back sprain, while Finney-Smith has a left ankle sprain.</p><p>Here’s everything we know about both players’ injuries and playing statuses vs. the 76ers.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><h2>Nic Claxton and Dorian Finney-Smith injury status vs. 76ers</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton_2d880e.jpg"><figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-pair-injuries-could-aid-brooklyns-tank-coming-weeks">Claxton missed the Nets’ last three games</a> after receiving an epidural due to his lower back injury. However, he returned to practice on Thursday and was upgraded from questionable to probable on Friday morning. A probable tag the morning of the game is a strong indication that Claxton will suit up in Philadelphia.</p><p>Finney-Smith has been tending to an ankle injury for the last two weeks. He missed back-to-back matchups against the New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics on Nov. 11 and 13. While he’s been on Brooklyn’s injury report as probable for two of their last three games, he played in all three matchups.</p><p>Brooklyn has played its last three games without a center, with Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe sidelined. Claxton’s return will offer a much-needed boost to the team’s frontcourt, especially if Joel Embiid plays. The reigning MVP is questionable for Friday’s matchup due to left knee injury management.</p><p>After signing a four-year, $95 million contract, Claxton has averaged 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks on 65.1 percent shooting this season while battling injuries.</p><p>Meanwhile, Finney-Smith is one of several veterans who have been integral to the Nets performing above expectations. The 30-year-old is averaging 11.2 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent from three on 5.6 attempts per game, all career-highs. He posted 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting from distance during <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-latest-win-shows-sean-marks-work-before-trade-deadline">Thursday’s 116-115 comeback win over the Charlotte Hornets</a>.</p><p>The Nets will attempt to continue their surprise start to the season in Philadelphia. Brooklyn has posted a 6-9 record and sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Nets’ Nic Claxton playing vs. 76ers? Latest NBA Cup injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-dayron-sharpe-clear-injury-return-timelines');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe get clear injury return timelines');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton-DayRon-Sharpe-get-clear-injury-return-timelines.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe get clear injury return timelines</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-21T11:52:55-08:00">November 21st, 11:52am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-21T11:57:43-08:00">November 21st, 11:57am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets have much-needed frontcourt reinforcements on the way. After the team <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-pair-injuries-could-aid-brooklyns-tank-coming-weeks">played its last three games without a center</a>, Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe are <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1859650261637267787" rel="noopener">nearing returns from injury</a>.</p><p>Claxton missed the recent stretch after receiving an epidural due to a lower back strain. However, the 25-year-old returned to practice on Thursday and is questionable for Friday’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers.</p><p>Meanwhile, Sharpe’s rehab from a hamstring injury that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-pair-injuries-could-aid-brooklyns-tank-coming-weeks">has sidelined him since training camp</a> is “progressing on schedule,” according to the team. The 23-year-old has begun 1-on-1 workouts with coaches and is expected to be integrated into team activities in the next 7-10 days.</p><h2>Nets frontcourt nearly whole for the first time this season</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton_7b994b.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton has faced an uphill battle to reach full strength this season after signing a four-year, $97 million contract. The 25-year-old missed the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury. He came off the Nets’ bench during the first eight games of the season while playing on a minutes restriction.</p><p>Claxton has averaged 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks on 65.1 percent shooting through 11 appearances. Jordi Fernandez has high hopes for the former second-round pick. During the offseason, the newly hired head coach said that Claxton would be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year while also stepping into an expanded offensive role.</p><p>Sharpe’s future with Brooklyn is unclear entering the final year of his rookie contract. The 2021 first-round pick emerged as a legitimate rotation piece last season, averaging 6.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.7 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting in 15.1 minutes per game. He ranked second in the NBA in rebounding percentage, behind only Andre Drummond.</p><p>The North Carolina product showed improvement as a short-roll playmaker, posting a 13.4 assist percentage (<a href="https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/4892#tab-offensive_overview" rel="noopener">75th percentile among NBA big men</a>), per Cleaning the Glass. The same can be said for his finishing, as he shot a <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sharpda01.html" rel="noopener">career-high 69 percent at the rim</a>, per Basketball Reference.</p><p>Brooklyn will face a decision on his future this offseason when he hits restricted free agency.</p><p>Sharpe’s return <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jordi-fernandez-responds-shocking-ben-simmons-free-throw-stat">could impact Ben Simmons’ minutes</a>. The three-time All-Star recently <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-ben-simmons-blunt-reaction-benching-during-loss-to-celtics">moved to the bench upon Claxton’s return</a> to the starting unit. Fernandez has been unwilling to play the pairing together for extended stretches due to their lack of shooting.</p><p>Simmons has operated almost exclusively in a five-out offense this season. With Sharpe re-entering the equation as another non-shooting center, Fernandez will face a difficult decision on Brooklyn’s bench rotation.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe get clear injury return timelines

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-jordi-fernandez-reveals-how-brooklyn-approach-nic-claxton-absence');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jordi Fernandez reveals how Nets will approach Nic Claxton’s extended absence');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nets-news-Jordi-Fernandez-reveals-how-Brooklyn-will-approach-Nic-Claxtons-extended-absence.jpg"></figure><h1>Jordi Fernandez reveals how Nets will approach Nic Claxton’s extended absence</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-15T17:19:41-08:00">November 15th, 5:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-15T18:11:51-08:00">November 15th, 6:11pm</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets were dealt another blow to their depleted frontcourt on Friday. Starting center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-is-nic-claxton-playing-knicks-latest-update">Nic Claxton received an epidural injection due to a lower back strain</a> and will be reevaluated in one week, the team announced. The timetable means Claxton will <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1857468493328752693" rel="noopener">miss at least the Nets’ next four games</a>.</p><p>“I know it’s been an issue that’s been lingering a little bit with his lower back,” said head coach Jordi Fernandez. “He had an epidural, and right now, we have him being reevaluated in seven days… [We’re] not super concerned. We want to keep him healthy. His body is the number one thing for us. And now it’s next man up.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jordi Fernandez on Nic Claxton's back injury and epidural:</p><p>"I know it’s been an issue that’s been lingering a little bit with his lower back… [We're] not super concerned. We want to keep him healthy. His body is the number one thing for us. And now it’s next man up.” <a href="https://t.co/XW1Ah1gCWQ">pic.twitter.com/XW1Ah1gCWQ</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1857564131290669117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Claxton has faced an uphill battle to reach full strength this season. The sixth-year center missed the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury. He began the year coming off the bench while on a minutes restriction before re-entering the Nets’ starting lineup during their last four games.</p><p>The 25-year-old has struggled to reach his usual level of production <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract">after signing a four-year, $97 million contract</a> this summer. He’s averaged 8.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocks in 24.8 minutes per game.</p><h2>How Nets will manage Nic Claxton’s extended absence</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton_2d880e.jpg"><figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Brooklyn is already <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-dayron-sharpe-trendon-watford-miss-start-season-hamstring-injuries">without backup center Day’Ron Sharpe</a>, who has been sidelined since training camp due to a hamstring injury. The Nets are expected to update the 23-year-old’s updated in the next week. In the meantime, they will play without a traditional center.</p><p>Ben Simmons will start in place of Claxton. Fernandez has staggered Simmons and Claxton’s minutes this season, playing the former in a point-center role. Noah Clowney and Dorian Finney-Smith should also see time at the position as small-ball options.</p><p>While the Nets will be undermanned for several games, Fernandez is confident in his team’s ability to remain competitive. The first-time NBA head coach said he gained experience shuffling lineups during his years as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ G-League affiliate.</p><p>“I think that comes from being an NBA G League Head Coach. It’s like you get thrown into a fire, and your roster changes, and you just got to keep playing and move on and find five guys that are going to play, going to play the right way,” Fernandez said. “A lot of times you have to just simplify things. You put five guys on the court. You help them, be positive with them. If you have five plays, maybe you run three, but you have to run them very well.”</p><p>“My first year in the G-League I had 19 players throughout the year. My second year, I had 29. So you can imagine how that’s the mentality. Changes happen… So that’s our mentality. Not just me, but also the rest of the guys. Somebody’s going to start in Nic’s place, that player is going to play hard, and we’re going to have a 10-man rotation, and we’re going to go from there.”</p><p>The Nets will face a difficult test in their first games without Claxton. Fernandez’s squad will play the New York Knicks in back-to-back matchups at Madison Square Garden on Friday and Sunday.</p><p>They’ll then host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday before departing for a four-game road trip with matchups against the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jordi Fernandez reveals how Nets will approach Nic Claxton’s extended absence

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-is-nic-claxton-playing-knicks-latest-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Nets’ Nic Claxton playing vs. Knicks? Latest NBA Cup injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nets-news-Nic-Claxton-ruled-out-for-Grizzlies-matchup.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Nets’ Nic Claxton playing vs. Knicks? Latest NBA Cup injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-15T08:21:47-08:00">November 15th, 8:21am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-15T09:26:08-08:00">November 15th, 9:26am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Nic Claxton will be sidelined for the Brooklyn Nets during <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/5-must-watch-nets-games-2024-25-schedule">Friday’s NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks</a> at Madison Square Garden. The starting center <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1857468493328752693">has a lower back strain</a> and will receive an epidural injection, the team announced. His status will be updated in one week, meaning he will miss the Nets’ next four games.</p><p>Dorian Finney-Smith is available for the Knicks matchup after missing Brooklyn’s last two games due to an ankle sprain. Ben Simmons is not on the injury report after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-ben-simmons-jordi-fernandez-injury-update-surprise-absence">missing Wednesday’s loss to the Boston Celtics</a> due to left calf tightness.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(free trial)</a>*</b></i></p><h2>Nic Claxton injury status vs. Knicks</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-15-at-10.55.40%E2%80%AFAM.png"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton was a late addition to the Nets’ injury report after playing 24 minutes vs. Boston. He posted three points, five rebounds and two assists on 1-of-3 shooting during the blowout loss, after which he said he “didn’t feel the best.”</p><p>The Nets have taken a cautious approach with injuries early this season. They kept Claxton on a minutes restriction and brought him off the bench for his first seven games as he progressed back from a preseason hamstring injury. Fernandez said on Wednesday that he wanted Finney-Smith to be “200 percent” when he returned from his ankle injury.</p><p>“All our players, their bodies and their health are the most important thing for us,” the coach said.</p><p>Claxton moved into the Nets’ starting lineup for their last four games, with the team ramping up his minutes. After Brooklyn signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $97 million contract this summer, Fernandez said the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract">big man will step into an expanded offensive role</a> this season. However, that’s yet to come to fruition.</p><p>Claxton has averaged 8.6 points and 2.5 assists while attempting 5.7 field goals per game. He’s attempted five or fewer shots in three of his last four appearances.</p><p>Following the Celtics loss, Claxton felt he needed to assert himself more offensively.</p><p>“It’s on me. Just being more assertive, more aggressive,” he said. “Today, I didn’t feel the best, but just being more assertive and finding ways in the offense to get my shots up.”</p><p>Claxton’s injury is a blow to the Nets’ depleted frontcourt. Backup center Day’Ron Sharpe has been sidelined by a hamstring injury since the preseason. Brooklyn is expected to update Sharpe’s status in the next week.</p><p>In the meantime, Simmons and Noah Clowney will shoulder a heavy burden as the team’s center options.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Nets’ Nic Claxton playing vs. Knicks? Latest NBA Cup injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-receives-praise-jordi-fernandez-after-first-start');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton receives high praise from Jordi Fernandez after first start');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/5th-player-in-NBA-history-to-have-700-25-pt-games.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton receives high praise from Jordi Fernandez after first start</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-05T07:43:13-08:00">November 5th, 7:43am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-05T08:42:02-08:00">November 5th, 8:42am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxtons-omission-starting-lineup-receives-jordi-fernandez-explanation">did not expect to start Nic Claxton</a> during Monday’s 106-104 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. However, with Ben Simmons resting on the second night of a back-to-back and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-noah-clowney-receives-jordi-fernandez-injury-update-late-scratch">Noah Clowney ruled out due to a hip ailment</a>, the sixth-year center joined the starting unit for the first time this season.</p><p>Claxton, who has been progressing back from a hamstring injury, made it through the game without a setback. The 25-year-old posted 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block. He <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1853624431110750280" rel="noopener">played 27 minutes</a>, his most of the season.</p><p>“I was mostly good. I’m just still getting back into the swing of things,” Claxton said of his performance. “I had like one stint where I was really tired, but other than that, I was good. Just trying to communicate and find my balance again… But it was a great game. We battled, it was fast-paced, it was fun. It was a good win for us.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Coast-to-coast Clax has struck twice tonight. <a href="https://t.co/G9nQiUqeU0">pic.twitter.com/G9nQiUqeU0</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1853624431110750280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-dorian-finney-smith-sends-warning-nba-amid-surprise-start">Nets pulled out the win as heavy underdogs</a>, marking their second victory over the Grizzlies in the last week.</p><h2>Nic Claxton reacclimating to starting role with Nets</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton_0da637.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton faced a difficult matchup during his first start of the season. Brooklyn has been without backup center Day’Ron Sharpe since early in training camp. With Simmons resting and Clowney a late scratch, Claxton was the team’s only center against Memphis’ frontline of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey.</p><p>However, the Nets were able to match the Grizzlies’ physicality for much of the game. They held nearly even in offensive rebounds and won the second-chance points battle by one. While Memphis scored 18 more points in the paint, head coach Jordi Fernandez was pleased with Claxton’s impact.</p><p>“I think Nic was great. He grabbed eight rebounds, but I also think he changed so many shots,” Fernandez said. “His effort to be there, be vertical, and use his length, I think that it was a difference-maker on our defense. So 66 [points] in the paint is not great, but you go to the second chance points and we won that battle by one. So amazing fight by everybody.</p><p>“It’s great to have Nic there with those minutes… We’re going to assess after the back-to-back and see where he’s at. But we’re very happy.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract">Claxton is stepping into an expanded offensive role</a> this season after signing a four-year, $97 million contract. The Nets have been among the NBA’s top surprises early this season, winning four of their last six games, despite the Georgia product playing on a minutes restriction.</p><p>Claxton will have three days to recover before potentially upping his workload during Friday’s road matchup with the Boston Celtics.</p><p>“We did have some extremely low expectations. But everybody here, including the coaches, we all have a chip on our shoulder,” he said after Monday’s win. “So we just taking it day by day. It’s a long season, but it’s a good start. We can always be better… We just got to keep stacking these games. We’ve got a tough road trip coming up.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton receives high praise from Jordi Fernandez after first start

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxtons-omission-starting-lineup-receives-jordi-fernandez-explanation');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nic Claxton’s omission from Nets starting lineup receives Jordi Fernandez explanation');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxtons-omission-from-starting-lineup-receives-Jordi-Fernandez-explanation.jpg"></figure><h1>Nic Claxton’s omission from Nets starting lineup receives Jordi Fernandez explanation</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-03T18:19:24-08:00">November 3rd, 6:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-03T18:40:29-08:00">November 3rd, 6:40pm</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton has not started a game in 2024-25 while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-receives-promising-injury-update-ahead-of-season-opener">progressing back from a preseason hamstring injury</a>. Head coach Jordi Fernandez said that <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1853153050233340184" rel="noopener">could change next week</a> as the sixth-year center continues to ramp up his minutes.</p><p>“There is a plan for him to start at some point,” Fernandez said before Sunday’s 106-92 loss to the Detroit Pistons. “Right now, it’s important for him that he goes through the back-to-back and he feels good, and then from there, we’ll readdress the situation and see where we’re at. He didn’t play the last back-to-back. Tonight, after the game, we will address what the plan is for tomorrow, and if we can accomplish this, then we’ll address the next step.”</p><p>“For him, it’s play tonight, address tonight, [evaluate] how he did and how he’s feeling. Then, be able to play tomorrow; we’ll see how many minutes. And then address the back-to-back, see how his body feels, and then increase his minutes. I don’t know exactly what’s gonna happen, but that’s our thought process.”</p><p>Claxton made it through Sunday’s game without a setback, posting eight points on 2-of-4 shooting with one rebound, four assists and a steal in 22 minutes.</p><h2>Nic Claxton approaching return to Nets starting lineup</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Nic-Claxton.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract">Fernandez has high hopes for Claxton</a> after the Nets signed the 25-year-old to a four-year, $97 million contract this offseason. The head coach has said he plans to utilize the former second-round pick in an expanded offensive role. However, that vision has yet to materialize, with the big man on a minutes restriction to start the season.</p><p>Claxton has yet to reach the 30-minute mark through six appearances. He’s averaged 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks on 71.4 percent shooting in 21.7 minutes per game.</p><p>Following Sunday’s loss, he said he feels physically ready to return to his full workload as a starter.</p><p>“It’s the coaches decision. Whenever they wanna put me back in the starting lineup, I’ll be back in the starting lineup,” Claxton said. “Of course, I wanna play my regular minutes from the jump. I think I’m ready, but I have certain checkpoints that I need to check with [the] performance [staff]. Same thing with the coaches, and then we’ll all get on the same page.”</p><p>Fernandez will face a decision when Claxton returns to his usual role. The coach has used Dennis Schroder, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Ben Simmons as his starting unit thus far.</p><p>Schroder and Thomas are unlikely to be removed from the lineup, with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-dennis-schroder-gives-direct-demand-before-breaking-record">both off to hot starts this season</a>. The same goes for Cam Johnson, the team’s top floor-spacer, who has averaged 18.0 points per game over his last three appearances.</p><p>While Finney-Smith has struggled to find his shooting stroke early this year, he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-nets-could-bench-ben-simmons-after-return-rest-night">presents a cleaner fit alongside Claxton than Simmons</a>, who has continued to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-ben-simmons-receives-jordi-fernandez-challenge-first-games">look hesitant to shoot despite improved health</a>. Simmons and Claxton struggled during their brief moments together last season, posting a 99.04 offensive rating and a -22.76 net rating in 100 minutes.</p><p>Fernandez has staggered the pair of near-seven-footers in lineups this season. They’ve played just eight minutes together through seven games. The first-time NBA head coach has deployed Simmons as a small-ball five, a role he could play off the bench upon Claxton’s return to the starting five.</p><p>The five-man unit of Schroder, Thomas, Johnson, Finney-Smith and Claxton has posted a 6.6 net rating this season, the league’s sixth-highest mark among 25 lineups to play 35 or more minutes.</p><p>Claxton is expected to play the backend of Brookyln’s back-to-back vs. the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. If he makes it through the game without a setback, he could return to the starting lineup during Friday’s road matchup with the Boston Celtics.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nic Claxton’s omission from Nets starting lineup receives Jordi Fernandez explanation

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-ruled-out-grizzlies-matchup');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton ruled out for Grizzlies matchup');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nets-news-Nic-Claxton-ruled-out-for-Grizzlies-matchup.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton ruled out for Grizzlies matchup</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-29T22:01:49-07:00">October 29th, 10:01pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-29T22:05:01-07:00">October 29th, 10:05pm</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Brooklyn Nets ruled out Nic Claxton for Wednesday’s road matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, head coach Jordi Fernandez announced after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-michael-malone-reveals-makes-jordi-fernandez-different-coach">Tuesday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets</a>. The sixth-year center <a href="https://x.com/erikslater_/status/1851455381865713944" rel="noopener">will sit out the back-to-back</a> as part of his return-to-play progression from a hamstring injury.</p><p>“It’s basically part of the return to play with his minutes. On a back-to-back, just being cautious with his body, and this was part of the plan,” Fernandez said. “He did a great job [tonight]. He played those extra minutes at 26. Right now, we need a good rest and recovery, and then we’ll take the next step. So again, very, very happy with him.”</p><p>Claxton has come off the bench in the Nets’ first four games while playing on a minutes restriction. He’s averaged 7.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game.</p><h2>Nic Claxton continuing injury progression early in season</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nic-Claxton_9fe90b.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After playing a limited role during the Nets’ first two games, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-brooklyn-offers-glimpse-new-identity-dominant-bucks-win">Claxton has begun to resemble his usual self</a> over his last two appearances. The 25-year-old has turned in back-to-back double-doubles. He posted 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and three blocks on 8-of-9 shooting in 26 minutes vs. Denver.</p><p>The well-rounded performance is a welcome sight for the Nets, who have been without backup center Day’Ron Sharpe since early in the preseason. Newly hired head coach Jordi Fernandez has high hopes for Claxton this season after Brooklyn signed the center to a four-year, $97 million contract.</p><p>With Claxton coming off the bench thus far as he recovers from his hamstring injury, Ben Simmons has started in a point-center role. Despite <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-nets-could-bench-ben-simmons-after-return-rest-night">Simmons having the night off vs. Denver</a>, Claxton still did not return to the starting lineup.</p><p>Second-year forward Noah Clowney got the starting nod, the fifth of his career. However, he played just 15 minutes, going scoreless on 0-of-2 shooting to go with three rebounds, one assist and one block.</p><p>Claxton’s next chance to return to Brooklyn’s starting lineup will come during Friday’s home matchup with the Chicago Bulls.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton ruled out for Grizzlies matchup

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-ejected-hard-foul-dyson-daniels');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton ejected after hard foul on Dyson Daniels');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Nic-Claxton-ejected-after-hard-foul-on-Dyson-Daniels.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton ejected after hard foul on Dyson Daniels</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-23T19:41:43-07:00">October 23rd, 7:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-23T19:42:33-07:00">October 23rd, 7:42pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-ben-simmons-left-bloodied-during-brooklyn-first-game-hawks">Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks had a heated contest</a> in the season opener on Wednesday night, and the officials were busy throughout the fourth quarter. With just over eight minutes to go in the game, Nets big man Nic Claxton <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1849265595805487436" rel="noopener">took a swing</a> at Dyson Daniels on a fast break.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dyson Daniels took a hard foul from Nic Claxton and Daniels got up in his face 👀</p><p>It is currently under review for a potential flagrant foul.<a href="https://t.co/TmWHJ6qR9B">pic.twitter.com/TmWHJ6qR9B</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1849265595805487436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>After a lengthy review, Claxton was given a Flagrant 2 foul and subsequently ejected from the game. Daniels was also given a technical foul for following Claxton into the stands and confronting him.</p><p>Just a few minutes later, the two teams <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1849267234704634112" rel="noopener">got into it again</a>. Nets guard Cam Thomas took a hard foul against De’Andre Hunter on a fast break to prevent an easy layup, and the two teams engaged in another scuffle. Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu quickly came to his teammate’s defense and went after Thomas.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">What is going on in Hawks-Nets?! 😳</p><p>Cam Thomas and Onyeka Okongwu get into it after Thomas fouled De'Andre Hunter hard in transition.<a href="https://t.co/OtXkX8MsOr">pic.twitter.com/OtXkX8MsOr</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1849267234704634112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 24, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>After review, the officials didn’t upgrade the foul on Thomas at all, ruling that he made a play on the ball and leaving it as a common foul. Regardless, tensions were running high for the rest of the night and that made the game pretty tough to officiate from there on out.</p><p>Losing Claxton was a big blow for the Nets and eventually cost them in a 120-116 loss. He left the game with seven points and five rebounds in just 15 minutes off the bench after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-jordi-fernandez-viewing-head-coaching-debut-first-step-long-journey">head coach Jordi Fernandez decided to go small</a> with Ben Simmons at center in the starting lineup.</p><p>Thomas thrived for the Nets and nearly carried them to a win even after Claxton left the game. The microwave scorer finished the opener with 36 points and five rebounds while knocking down seven three-pointers. The Nets will be relying on Thomas to do the bulk of the scoring for them this season after trading Mikel Bridges to the New York Knicks this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nets’ Nic Claxton ejected after hard foul on Dyson Daniels

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nets-news-nic-claxton-new-role-100m-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nets’ Nic Claxton stepping into new role after signing $100M contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/claxton-feature.jpg"></figure><h1>Nets’ Nic Claxton stepping into new role after signing $100M contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-22T11:29:54-07:00">October 22nd, 11:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-22T11:34:31-07:00">October 22nd, 11:34am</time><address><a>Erik Slater</a>Erik Slater is the credentialed Brooklyn Nets beat reporter for ClutchPoints. He's a graduate of Lehigh University and the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, as well as a Lehigh Football and Syracuse Football alum.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Brooklyn Nets center <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-reaction-100-million-contract">Nic Claxton finds himself in a new position</a> entering his sixth NBA season. After years as the team’s promising youngster in the shadows of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the 25-year-old is suddenly Brooklyn’s longest-tenured player.</p><p>The Nets’ last two years have been filled with blockbuster trades and intense roster turnover. They’re now entering a rebuild with Claxton and fourth-year guard Cam Thomas headlining the roster. When asked about his veteran status, Claxton admitted the changes in Brooklyn have been eye-opening.</p><p>“Man, it happens fast,” he said. “It’s also humbling, though, just being in the same place for going on six years. So I don’t take it for granted, and I gotta just continue to play the game the right way and continue to grow. I’m just happy to still be here.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-nic-claxtons-97m-contract-details-big-win-nets">Claxton bet on himself</a> when he signed a two-year, $17 million contract in 2022. After emerging as one of the NBA’s top defensive centers over the last two seasons, he cashed in this summer, re-upping on a four-year, $97 million deal.</p><p>The former second-round pick said a weight has been lifted off his shoulders after signing the new contract.</p><p>“It’s the first time I feel like I’m not worried about the contract. I’m not worried about staying healthy,” Claxton said. “Going back a few years with the two-year deal, I had a lot of injuries, had a lot of things take place. And the last couple of years I was able to put myself in a situation to get the contract.”</p><p>“Now I just need to go out there and have fun playing the game of basketball. I just wanna feel like a kid again and just enjoy this with a younger group. I’m excited to see what it looks like. It’s a new system, so I’m also going to be learning a lot. I’m ready.”</p><h2>Nic Claxton prepping for expanded role with Nets in 2024-25</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/claxton-imaghn.jpg"><figcaption>Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Claxton will step into an expanded role for the rebuilding Nets this season.</p><p>Upon joining Brooklyn, head coach Jordi Fernandez said he thinks the Georgia product will win Defensive Player of the Year. Offensively, the Nets are severely lacking shot creation after trading Mikal Bridges. The team hopes the sixth-year center can shoulder some of that burden while acting as a hub in the halfcourt.</p><p>Doing so will require Claxton, who ranked sixth on the Nets in points per game (11.8) and ninth in assists per game (2.1) last season, to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-nic-claxton-cam-thomas-snubbed-espns-nba-top-100-list">improve as a playmaker and self-creator</a>. The Nets are confident the big man can take those steps.</p><p>“Nic is no longer the young kid,” Fernandez said at Media Day. “When you think about the prime of a basketball player, I think they say 25-26, so he’s right there. Obviously our commitment with him, he was our priority this summer. So his role, his leadership, that’s what’s going to change. Right now, he has to be an example for the younger guys.</p><p>“Then we all also have personal goals. He should be there for Defensive Player of the Year. His playmaking should go up. We’ll play through him with dribble handoffs, catches at the elbow. He’s pretty good at playmaking for others and putting pressure on the rim… So [we’re] very excited, because he’s going to be important piece for us.”</p><p>A contract worth nearly $100 million comes with such two-way responsibilities. Despite this, Claxton <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1848415149486706780" rel="noopener">isn’t feeling added expectations</a> entering year one of his new deal.</p><p>“If there was a time for me to be worrying about anything it was when I didn’t have a contract,” he said. “Now that I do have a contract, I can just go play, have fun, do what I was doing before, and just keep trying to add layers to my game.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Asked Nic Claxton if he feels added expectations after signing a new contract:</p><p>“No… If there was a time for me to worry about anything it was when I didn’t have a contract. Now that I do have one, I can just go play, have fun, do what I was doing before, and keep trying to add… <a href="https://t.co/sM3SFcpisn">pic.twitter.com/sM3SFcpisn</a></p><p>— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1848415149486706780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>After missing all four of Brooklyn’s preseason games with a hamstring injury, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-news-nic-claxton-receives-promising-injury-update-ahead-of-season-opener">Claxton returned to practice and is on track to play</a> in the season opener. The new-look Nets will begin their 2024-25 campaign on Wednesday with a road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
9.3	7.4	2.0	1.3	0.7

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
9.3	7.4	2.0	1.3	0.7

Nicolas Claxton news

Nicolas
Claxton news