Porter and Claxton spark the Nets to a 119-101 win over the Pelicans.
- SPORTS
Sunday, December 7, 2025 12:36 AM
NEW YORK -- Michael Porter Jr. matched his season high with 35 points, Nic Claxton logged his second triple-double, and the Brooklyn Nets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 119-101 on Saturday.
Porter tied his career best by reaching 30 points for the third straight game, a feat he also accomplished during Feb. 3–6 in his final season with Denver. He knocked down five 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds after sitting out Thursday to rest his back in the second night of a back-to-back.
Claxton finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. He became the first Nets player with multiple triple-doubles in a season since James Harden (nine) and Kevin Durant (four) in 2021-22, and he is the second Nets center to record multiple career triple-doubles, joining Shawn Bradley (five from 1995-97).
Day’Ron Sharpe contributed 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting as Brooklyn extended its winning pace, improving to 6-17 with the win and earning a record of three wins in four games.
Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 23 points, while Saddiq Bey added 18 and Bryce McGowens chipped in 16. New Orleans dropped its sixth straight game and fell to 3-21.
Brooklyn surged to a strong start, shooting 63.6% and tallying 13 assists on its 14 first-quarter baskets to build a 35-24 lead. Porter then erupted for 13 points in the second quarter on 5-for-6 shooting, helping the Nets reach a 62-44 halftime margin.
The Nets maintained control, leading by as many as 28 points in the second half.
Up next
Pelicans: Host San Antonio on Monday.
Nets: Play at Dallas on Friday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
