The New Orleans Pelicans were the perfect elixir for a team needing a win. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Pelicans at the Barclays Center behind outstanding performances by Nic Claxton and Michael Porter, Jr.
Michael Porter, Jr is on a mini-run for the Brooklyn Nets that he does not want to see end. He is three-games back from a back injury and he has scored 30 or more points in each of those contests.
Saturday night was the charm for Porter who scored a game-high 35 points as the Nets trounced the visiting Pelicans 119-101 at the Barclays Center.
This was Brooklyn's third win in their last four games. They improve to 6-17 on the season, while the cellar-dwelling Pelicans drop to 3-21.
Porter also made five 3-point field goals and had nine rebounds. It was his first game back since missing the last game of a back-to-back as he needed to rest his back.
"These guys make it easy for me. We are getting better and better reading defenses," Porter said after the game. "I just think that my whole career I was a tough shot maker and a rhythm playmaker."
Nic Claxton continued his torrid play of late as he managed to achieve his second triple-double of his young career.
Claxton ended his night with 14 points, 11 rebounds, while dishing out 10 assists, The last time a Nets player had multiple triple-double games in the same season was when Kevin Durant had four and James Harden had nine in 2021-2022.
"Offensively, we are starting to get the hang of it," Porter said. "We are a completely different team now than our first seven or eight games."
Dec 6, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. (17) goes to the basket as New Orleans Pelicans guard Micah Peavy (14) defends during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesThe Nets also got support from Day'Ron Sharpe who added 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 23 points. Saddiq Bey added 18 points while Bryce McGowens chimed in with 16.
Brooklyn dominated from the first quarter where they shot 63.6 percent and had 13 assists on 14 made baskets. They led 36-24 after the first quarter.
Porter then started his magisterial dominance with 13 points in the second quarter on 5-of-6 shooting. The Nets had a 62-44 lead at the break and did not look back. They kicked it into overdrive and dominated the fourth quarter.
"I just think guys are getting used to playing with each other and I am getting a lot of easy looks at the rim," Porter said. "We are getting better and better reading defenses and I feel like we are learning each other's game more. We are flowing better and we are getting used to each other more."
Brooklyn had 36 assists on the night and scored 66 points in the paint. That was music to head coach Jordi Fernandez's ears.
"I thought on both ends of the floor, we played the right way," Fernandez said. "All of this was positive. Egor had seven assists and took a big charge, he really sacrificed his body for the team."
The Nets will take to the road again to face the Dallas Mavericks Friday night.