For the second time in as many games, Nic Claxton was the bright spot for the Nets. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, the rookie’s efforts have come in home losses against elite Eastern Conference teams — the most recent one coming Monday in a 117-111 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Between the two games, Claxton has shown his strong play from earlier in 2019-20 — when DeAndre Jordan battled an ankle injury — wasn’t a fluke. The Nets rookie makes highlight-reel plays, and he makes the hustle plays.
While Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are the future in Brooklyn, Claxton has given Nets fans another reason to be excited about what’s to come. And based on Kenny Atkinson’s comments to reporters after Claxton’s 15-point performance on Monday, the organization feels great about the direction the rookie is trending in, as well:
He’s got big-time talent. Big-time hunger. Wants to be great — and that’s a lot of guys in this league, but I think he’s got something else in there. He’s got a knack [for the game]. [With] his athleticism, he could hang with a team like [the Sixers]. It’s his strength — we saw on the court, he’s definitely gotta get stronger. But once he gets stronger — and he can shoot the three. That bodes well for us in the future.
CAN'T DENY CLAX 😤@_claxton33 | #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/NMJOylS2t0
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 20, 2020
Jordan is set to be re-evaluated this week, so he could be re-activated before Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. If the veteran big man is available, Claxton’s minutes will likely take a hit.