Nic Claxton powers Nets past Bulls in gritty Brooklyn showdown 123-115

Barclays Center wasn’t hosting a heavyweight title fight on Monday night. It was a battle of the Nets and the Bulls, two teams looking toward the lottery rather than the Larry O’Brien trophy. But don’t tell that to Nic Claxton. In a season defined by development and “retooling,” nights like this—gritty, back-and-forth affairs against fellow Eastern Conference strivers—are where a team’s actual culture is built. The Brooklyn Nets, despite a late scare from a scrappy Chicago Bulls squad, proved they have the composure to close, securing a 123-115 victory.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was a resilient one. In a year where wins have been sporadic, finding a way to protect home court against a division rival matters.

Nets Survive Late Bulls Surge

The Nets appeared to be cruising early in the second half. They came out of the locker room looking to put the game to bed, ripping off a 14-5 run over the first three minutes of the third quarter to push the lead to 15 at 74-59. The energy was palpable; the young legs were running, and the ball was moving. But in the modern NBA, a 15-point lead can evaporate in three possessions.

The Bulls, riding a five-game losing streak and desperate for a spark, clawed their way back. It wasn’t pretty for Brooklyn in the late third. Chicago’s Anfernee Simons, who finished with 23 points, started hitting shots that had no business going in—including a fading, one-legged corner jumper that left the crowd murmuring in disbelief. When Isaac Okoro sank two free throws early in the fourth, the Bulls had their first lead since the first half at 93-91.

The air went out of the building. It felt like another “learning experience” loss was loading. But the Nets flipped a switch. Instead of folding, they locked in defensively. They responded with a 12-6 burst over the next three minutes, reclaiming the momentum and the lead, 103-99. It was a maturity test, and for once, Brooklyn passed with flying colors.

Nic Claxton Anchors the Paint for Brooklyn

In a game filled with rookies and new faces, the longest-tenured Net showed why he is the engine of this defense—and increasingly, the offense. Nic Claxton was a force. He didn’t just fill the stat sheet; he controlled the tenor of the game.

Claxton finished with a commanding 28 points and 10 rebounds, feasting on the interior. Whether it was catching lobs or cleaning up misses, he was simply too active for the Bulls’ frontcourt to handle. His impact was most felt in the closing minutes. With the game still hanging in the balance, Claxton stepped to the line and knocked down crucial free throws—an area that has plagued him in the past—extending the lead to 115-107. It was a statement performance from the big man, who is looking to solidify his place as a cornerstone for this franchise moving forward.

Youth Movement Shines for the Nets

While Claxton provided the veteran stability, the juice came from the kids. Noah Clowney continues to look like a legitimate piece of the future, dropping 22 points and showing a versatility that makes him a nightmare matchup. He was hitting from deep and finishing at the rim, providing the perfect complement to Claxton’s inside game.

And then there were the rookies. Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore chipped in 13 points apiece, playing with a poise beyond their years. Wolf, in particular, had a massive layup with just over three minutes left that stopped a Bulls rally dead in its tracks. It’s rare to see first-year players trusted in crunch time, but the coaching staff leaned on them, and they delivered.

Bulls Fight But Fall Short

You have to give credit to Chicago. Down big on the road, and missing key pieces like Josh Giddey, Zach Collins, and Tre Jones, they could have packed it in. Simons was electric at times, and Collin Sexton provided a necessary spark off the bench with 21 points. Matas Buzelis added 18, showing flashes of the high ceiling that made him a top prospect.

But defensively, they just couldn’t get the stops when it mattered. They allowed Brooklyn to shoot a blistering percentage and get whatever they wanted in the paint down the stretch. It’s the story of the season for Chicago—plenty of scoring talent, but not enough cohesion to turn close games into wins.

What’s Next for the Nets

This win gives the Nets back-to-back victories and a 3-1 season series win over Chicago. It’s a small consolation in a rebuilding season, but winning habits are hard to forge. Brooklyn doesn’t get much time to celebrate. They host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, looking to make it three in a row. For a team trying to find its identity, nights like Monday are a step in the right direction. They didn’t just win; they withstood a punch and hit back harder.