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

Nic Claxton flashes two-way dominance during Nets’ loss vs. Bucks

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.

His aggressiveness against Milwaukee’s frontline of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis was a step back in that direction.

“[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.”

“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.”

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.

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.

“I’m feeling better, mentally, physically, everything’s just coming together,” he 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.”