Michael Porter Jr. delivered 35 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 119-101 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night at Barclays Center.
The forward matched his season high and extended his streak of 30-point performances to three straight games, equaling a run he last produced during his final season with Denver.
Brooklyn reached 6-17 with the victory, picking up its third win in four outings to continue a modest turnaround after a slow start.
Porter shot 14-for-23 from the field and added nine rebounds in 33 minutes, returning to his usual workload after resting Thursday in the second night of a back-to-back.
The Nets dominated the opening quarter, hitting 63.6% of their shots and assisting on 13 of 14 made baskets to take a 35-24 lead.
Porter kept the pressure on in the second period with 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting, helping Brooklyn push the margin to 62-44 at halftime.
Nic Claxton recorded 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, notching his second triple-double of the season and becoming the first Net with multiple triple-doubles since the 2021-22 campaign.
Claxton is now the second center in franchise history with multiple triple-doubles, joining Shawn Bradley.
Day’Ron Sharpe added 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting off the bench, providing Brooklyn with efficient scoring in the paint.
The Nets led by as many as 28 in the second half, controlling the glass and limiting New Orleans to one field goal over a key stretch of the third quarter.
Brooklyn finished at 53% from the field and 40% from three, posting 36 assists on 47 made baskets.
Trey Murphy III scored 23 points to pace the Pelicans, who dropped to 3-21 with their sixth straight loss.
Saddiq Bey followed with 18 points, and Bryce McGowens added 16, but New Orleans struggled to keep pace after falling behind early.
The Pelicans shot 45% from the floor but allowed Brooklyn to generate 13 fast-break points and maintain control of the tempo throughout the night.
New Orleans trailed 35-24 after the first quarter and never cut the deficit to single digits in the second half.
Derik Queen contributed nine rebounds and five assists, while Jeremiah Fears finished with 14 points and five assists in 33 minutes.
Brooklyn continued to get steady production from its supporting cast, with Noah Clowney, Terance Mann, and Egor Demin combining for 28 points and 13 assists.
The Pelicans return home Monday to face San Antonio, while the Nets travel to Dallas for a Friday matchup.
