Nets Break Their Streak with Surprising Victory Over Bulls – What’s Behind Their Sudden Turnaround?

Michael Porter Jr. lit up the scoreboard with a blistering 33 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a hard-earned 113-103 victory over the injury-riddled Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. This marked the Nets’ first back-to-back wins of the season, a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging campaign that now stands at 5-16. Meanwhile, Noah Clowney came alive in the second half, dropping 18 of his 20 points to keep the Nets’ momentum rolling, while Nic Claxton nearly notched a triple-double with 14 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. On the other side, despite Josh Giddey’s impressive triple-double—28 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists—the Bulls struggled mightily without seven key players, including rookie Noa Essengue, who’s out for the season following surgery. Chicago’s shooting woes and turnovers proved costly against a Brooklyn squad that refused to fold, especially with Porter nailing four of five second-half threes to stave off a late Bulls rally. It was a gritty, gutsy performance from the Nets, giving fans a glimmer of hope amid a tough stretch. LEARN MORE

CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. had 33 points and 10 rebounds and the Brooklyn Nets won consecutive games for the first time this season, beating the depleted Chicago Bulls 113-103 on Wednesday night.

Noah Clowney scored 18 of his 20 points the second half to help the Nets improve to 5-16. Nic Claxton had 14 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

Josh Giddey had 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists for his fifth triple-double this season for Chicago. The Bulls dropped to 9-12 with their fifth loss in a row.

Chicago played without seven injured players, including rookie forward Noa Essengue, the 12th overall pick in the NBA draft, who will have surgery on his left shoulder and miss the remainder of the season.

Porter followed up on a season-high 35-point effort in a 116-103 home victory over Charlotte on Monday night. Against Chicago, Porter hit four of his five three-point baskets in the second half as Brooklyn pushed back after Chicago narrowed the Nets lead to as little as five.

Nikola Vucevic finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Ayo Dosunmu added 16 points, but Chicago was held to 42.2% shooting and committed 16 turnovers.