Key Highlights
- Noah Clowney’s shooting struggles and his 2026/27 option.
- Bryant Mann’s performance with a new three-year, $47MM extension from the Clippers.
- Ziaire Williams’ minor back fracture and expected return this Sunday.
- Nic Claxton’s importance for defensive contributions despite personal struggles.
Brooklyn Nets Face Offense Challenges in Early Season
The Brooklyn Nets are off to a disappointing 0-5 start, with Noah Clowney being one of the key players facing criticism. Clowney has contributed only 5.2 points per game while shooting at a meager 25% from the field, mainly beyond the arc. The coaching staff is urging him not to overthink his shots and continue firing away.
Clowney’s 2026/27 option was picked up by the front office at the beginning of the season. During last year’s campaign, he averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per game but struggled with his shooting efficiency, making just 35.8% from the floor across 46 games.
“Just keep shooting it,” coach Jordi Fernández told Dan Martin of the New York Post. “Don’t overthink it.”
Cutting Edge: Tyrese Martin and Terance Mann Lead in Performance
The coaching staff has opted to go with veterans Tyrese Martin and Terance Mann instead of rookies Egor Demin and Ben Saraf for the entire fourth quarter. This decision was made after observing that Demin, who has been successful from beyond the arc (9-for-22), needs to improve his inside game.
“Yeah, he’s got to figure it out. Obviously, I want him to touch the paint,” Fernández said. “We all, everybody, will figure it out that he’s a threat from the three-point line, but he cannot play just behind the three.”
Mann, who signed a three-year, $47MM extension with the Clippers last October, has been performing well, averaging 11.2 points in 25.4 minutes per game while shooting at a high efficiency of 54.6% from the field.
“Terance has a good overall feel for the game,” Fernández said to Andrew Crane of the New York Post. “He does a little bit of everything, and I like when he’s aggressive and he gets assists when he gets to the rim and he sprays the ball.”
Brooklyn Nets Struggle with Defense Amid Injuries and Health Concerns
The team’s defense has been criticized for its poor performance. Nic Claxton, a key defensive anchor, is facing his own challenges after sustaining a minor back fracture during a recent game against the Spurs. He remains hopeful of returning this Sunday when the Nets host the Sixers.
“It locked up on me,” said Claxton about his injury. “But it’s something that can’t get worse.
So at this point, it’s just a pain tolerance thing, so as soon as the pain just goes down, it’s never gonna be perfect, at least right now.”
Despite these setbacks, Fernández remains optimistic about Claxton’s abilities and his role in the team:
“He has high standards and he’s hard on himself… We’re all together here. I believe in him. We had a great stretch last year when we were high level offensively, and right now we’re not. So, continuity, work together, believe in each other; all those things are important.”
The Brooklyn Nets face an uphill battle to turn their season around, with defensive improvements and offensive consistency being critical for success.
