The Brooklyn Nets are competing in their first back-to-back of the 2024-25 season in a road matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. The Nets have dealt with some injuries early in their campaign, mostly affecting their big men. Nic Claxton has been on a minutes restriction ramping up from an ailment from preseason and has received an availability decision for Wednesday's game.
Claxton dealt with hamstring tightness before the regular season's start and missed all of Brooklyn preseason contests. He has been available in every game since Opening Night though on a strategic build up. However, part of his plan requires rest.
Thus, Claxton has been ruled out against the Grizzlies, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
The sixth-year center has been highly productive in his last two games despite coming off the bench. In the Nets' Oct. 27 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Claxton scored 10 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked two shots in 22 minutes. Then, he amassed 16 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks against the Nuggets in 26 minutes on Tuesday night.
On the season as a whole, Claxton is averaging 9.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks.
Claxton seeking more growth in 2024-25
Nic Claxton has improved every year he has been in the NBA. When he joined the Nets in 2019, he did not have a clear path to a starting role, given the presence of DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen. But Claxton kept working and eventually became Brooklyn's most reliable big man.
The former Georgia standout broke out during the 2022-23 season, averaging a career-high 12.6 points and 2.5 blocks along with 9.2 rebounds. He comes off a 2023-24 season with averages of 11.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
Claxton has three crucial questions to answer for the Nets early on in the season. So far, those questions have not quite been addressed, but it is still early and as mentioned, Claxton is still getting back to full strength from his injury.
Brooklyn needs Claxton maintain his consistency in the paint. During his last two years of play, he has gotten eerily close to averaging a double-double but has just missed the mark due to being 0.1 or 0.2 off on his rebounds. It would be great if he can finally break through in 2024-25.
Next, Claxton has been spotted working on his three-pointers in past summers. Will he finally show his ability to stretch the floor in his new Nets campaign?
Finally, there is no question of Claxton's defensive ability. Jordi Fernandez believes Claxton is a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber center. Can he maintain his productivity and an earn a high honor?