Nets Top Pelicans 119-101 as Porter Scores 35

Brooklyn, NY - The Brooklyn Nets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-101 on Saturday afternoon at Barclays Center, securing their third consecutive victory in games started by forward Michael Porter Jr. and improving their record to 6-17.

Porter led the way with a game-high 35 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range, tying his season high and marking his third straight 30-point performance. The Nets, who have won all three of those contests, outshot New Orleans .528 to .391 overall and connected on 14 of 35 three-pointers. Center Nic Claxton recorded his second triple-double of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds and a game-high 10 assists, while dominating Pelicans rookie Derik Queen inside. Claxton became the first Nets player with multiple triple-doubles in a season since James Harden had nine and Kevin Durant four during the 2021-22 campaign. He is also just the second center in franchise history to achieve multiple career triple-doubles, following Shawn Bradley's five from 1995-97.

The victory highlighted Brooklyn's growing cohesion, particularly the chemistry between Porter and Claxton, who has emerged as an offensive facilitator through...