The Nets have shut down ahead Noah Clowney for the rest of the 2024-25 season, head coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed after Wednesday’s apply.
Brooklyn has six video games left, beginning with Thursday’s matchup towards the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Middle. Its regular-season finale might be performed at dwelling on April 13 towards the Knicks.
The 20-year-old averaged 9.1 factors and three.9 rebounds whereas capturing 35.8% from the sector, 33.3% from 3-point vary, and 83.8% from the free throw line throughout 46 appearances in his second NBA season. Given his youth, his teammates proceed to consider that his greatest basketball continues to be forward of him.
“I think he had some bright spots, and he probably knows what he has to work on going into his third year,” Trendon Watford mentioned. “Obviously, Noah’s young, man. He’s had some bright spots, a lot of bright moments during this season. The fans should be happy for the growth he’s made in year one and year two and can’t wait to get into year three and get even better.”
Clowney, who suffered his fourth ankle sprain of the season within the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 115-112 defeat of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Area, a sport wherein he completed with 13 factors, together with three made 3-pointers, and 5 rebounds in simply over 19 minutes.
The ahead’s greatest efficiency of the season got here in a 113-98 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 8, the place he erupted for 29 factors, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes.
“I think he had a phenomenal season,” Ziaire William mentioned of Clowney. “I thought he showed a lot of growth, not just on the court, but just mentally. It was some days I’m like, ‘Man Noah, you know, we still the NBA. Man, cheer up, get your spirits up. We’re still living the dream, who cares about what happened or whatever,’ but he reminds me of me, when I was in my second year. Just wanting to be perfect, just wanting to be on your P’s and Q’s all the time.
“You know, mistakes are going to happen, but he always bounced back well, and he’s an unbelievable shooter. I really think he could be like s–t, damn near better than Giannis. I tell him that all the time, like, ‘Bro, you could be better than Giannis, for real.’ And he puts the work in. So I’m excited to see his growth this summer, and then the years to follow on, but he’ll, God willing, he’ll definitely be an NBA pro for a long time.”
Waiting for the summer season, when Clowney is wholesome sufficient to return to the court docket, Fernandez believes the important thing to unlocking the previous first-round decide’s potential begins with him persevering with to enhance his offensive effectivity.
“I think later in the season, in the last few games, he was a lot better, more efficient with his drives and less turnovers and more efficiency at the rim,” Fernandez mentioned. “He’s been working at it, and that’s one of the things, it’s like, you may not see the work, but the work has been there. And now for us to see results, we’re going to need a bigger sample size. And what he needs especially is games, and you know, that’s why we’re excited about next season and also excited about the summer, to put more work in.”
INJURY UPDATES
Cam Johnson suffered a decrease again contusion minutes earlier than Clowney’s damage on Saturday. The veteran ahead was absent from Monday’s highway win towards the Dallas Mavericks and has already been dominated out of Thursday’s sport towards Minnesota.
Day’Ron Sharpe, who hasn’t performed since March 24 due to a proper knee sprain, is anticipated to be re-evaluated quickly, based on Fernandez. Nonetheless, he’ll stay out towards Minnesota.
D’Angelo Russell (proper ankle soreness) is listed as possible, whereas Jalen Wilson (proper ankle soreness) is questionable.
