Noah Clowney has established himself as a key piece with continued breakthrough

ByNBAUSA


While the losses are piling up for Brooklyn Nets this season, Noah Clowney continues to deliver breakthrough performance. With Michael Porter Jr. sidelined during Thursday’s 123-110 loss to the Utah Jazz, Clowney scored 29 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field and 3-of-6 from three. The third-year forward set career highs in free throws made (10) and made (12).

Clowney is playing the best basketball of his career, drawing more and more attention from opposing defenses, especially when Porter Jr.

“I know I have to be more aggressive when (Mike) isn’t playing,” Clowney said after the game. “The three games he didn’t play, I felt like I was the other team’s focus and they treated me like the number one option. And I haven’t been the number one option since high school. So it’s like I’ve never had to adjust to that. Even in Milwaukee (on Saturday), I think I hit three shots because I reacted when I thought I changed everything better. And I reacted to everything I could change. today.”

The 21-year-old’s performance after an injury-riddled second campaign was a breath of fresh air for the rebuilding Nets.

Noah Clowney continues to struggle with 29 points against the Jazz

Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) moves the ball past Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the first quarter at Barclays Center.
Tom Horak-Imagn Images

After a slow start, Clowney became Brooklyn’s second leading scorer behind Porter Jr. in the midst of moving into the starting lineup. The former first-round pick is averaging 16.9 points on .452/.392/.810 shooting over his last 16 games. His 64.0 true shooting percentage during that span ranks 12th among 102 players who attempt at least 10 shots per game (minimum 10 games played).

After a cold shooting start, Clowney recovered a touch from beyond the arc. He is converting 39.2 percent of his 3-pointers while attempting a career-high 6.5 per game. However, his development as a driver has been the most dramatic improvement of any grid in any area this season.

After making just 41.4 percent of his two-point attempts last season, Clowney is shooting 57.9 percent on two-pointers over the last 16 games. Monitoring off-season body transformationhe was a force driving to the basket — consistently finishing at the rim and drawing fouls at a career-best rate.

Clowney has become increasingly adept as a foul shooter on drives to the rim. He is attempting 7.1 free throws per 100 possessions this season, more than double last year. His 4.0 free throws per game since moving to Brooklyn’s starting lineup ranks 38th in the NBA (minimum 10 games played).

“(The free throw) is the easiest shot you’re going to get off the layup,” Clowney said after attempting a career-high 10 free throws against Utah. “Different people play me different ways. Smaller people, a lot of times they think my handle is weak, so they’re going to come when I’m driving in their direction, so I’m going to rip your hands off every time. … I was watching them when Danny (Wolf) was turning earlier, and I saw them trying to flood on his spin move … As soon as he turned his back, I turned there, and I turned where I turned. So I grabbed his hands. Most of my there are not so many fouls in the air.

After an uninspiring defensive start this season, Clowney shows blinks as a perimeter defender and rim protector in recent games. He blocked a season-high three shots against the Jazz. While he has plenty of room to grow as a defensive rebounder, he has grabbed seven boards in two of his last five games.

General manager Sean Marks said he is “looking for the next Nets” this season. While Clowney will need to sustain his production over the long haul, his early season breakout will go a long way toward cementing his place as a staple in Brooklyn.





2025-12-05 19:27:00

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