Michael Porter Jr. makes franchise history with a blowout against the Pelicans

The Brooklyn Nets (6-17) looks like a different team when Michael Porter Jr. is on the floor. Brooklyn shook off Thursday’s 123-110 setback against the Utah Jazz to beat the New Orleans Pelicans (3-21) 119-101 on Saturday at Barclays Center, winning its third straight in games started by the 27-year-old.

Porter Jr. scored a season-high 35 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc, while adding nine rebounds and three assists. And with that performance, he became the first player in Nets history to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ 3-pointers in three consecutive games.

His scoring came efficiently, with the Missouri product utilizing minimal dribbles, crisp backdoor cuts and efficient off-ball movement. Porter is now averaging 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 39.2% from three in 19 games this season.

Porter’s return was especially impressive after Brooklyn strategically rested him against Utah to manage his lower back. In games he has started, the Nets have gone 6-7 in his last 13 starts since Cam Thomas went down. According to Cleaning The Glass, Porter is in the 79th percentile for on-off shooting and 91st percentile for offensive rebounding.

Brooklyn also benefited from strong scoring from center Nick Claxtonwho had his second career triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, along with three blocks and a plus-24 rating. The 26-year-old has embraced an expanded offensive role this season, operating as a distributor from the top of the key and using Porter off the dribble to generate open shots. Claxton is now only the second center in Nets history to record multiple career triple-doubles, joining Sean Bradley, and the first Net with multiple triple-doubles in a season since 2021-22.

Supporting the cast were Day’Ron Sharp, who scored 16 points on 87.5% shooting, and rookie Egor Demin, who had eight points, seven assists and four rebounds while shooting 60% from the field and 50% from three. Noah Clowney also contributed with 10 points and six rebounds.

No Zion Williamson (right adductor), no chance for New Orleans to keep up. Trey Murphy III did his part with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists, but Brooklyn jumped out to a 30-17 lead and never let up, cruising to a comfortable victory.

The real challenge for the Nets will come when they hit the road to face the Dallas Mavericks.