Brooklyn Nets snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday night behind a dominant performance from a familiar face, defeating the Denver Nuggets 127-115 at Barclays Center.
In his first game against his former club, Michael Porter Jr. posted 27 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists as Brooklyn improved to 11-22 on the season.
Porter, who spent six seasons in Denver and was part of the franchise’s 2023 championship team, controlled the game offensively while also anchoring the glass against his former teammates.
The Nets led 59-52 at halftime after Porter scored nine points in the second quarter, maintaining momentum despite a late jumper by Jamal Murray just before the break.
Brooklyn created separation in the third quarter by spacing the floor and pushing the pace, shooting 7-for-9 from three-point range in the period.
That surge resulted in 41 third-quarter points and a 100-84 advantage entering the fourth, forcing Denver to play from behind the rest of the night.
Noah Clowney provided key secondary scoring with 22 points, while Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe added 17 apiece.
Sharpe started at center with Nic Claxton unavailable for personal reasons and finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Denver showed signs of life early in the fourth when Tim Hardaway Jr. hit two three-pointers to cut the deficit to 10.
Brooklyn responded with a decisive 12-0 run, capped by seven straight points from Thomas, to extend the lead to 112-90 and regain full control.
Hardaway finished with 26 points off the bench, but the Nuggets fell to 1-4 on their seven-game Eastern Conference road trip.
Murray led Denver with 27 points, a career-high 16 assists, and six rebounds in an expanded role.
The point guard continues to shoulder a heavier offensive load with Nikola Jokic sidelined, as the three-time MVP is expected to miss several weeks with a hyperextended left knee.
Aaron Gordon returned from a 19-game absence and scored 20 points off the bench, while Christian Braun made his first appearance in 23 games and finished with four points.
Despite the reinforcements, Denver dropped to 1-2 since Jokic’s injury and slipped to 23-12 overall.
Porter, who entered the game averaging a career-high 25.8 points, was traded to Brooklyn in the offseason and has quickly become the focal point of the Nets’ offense.
The Nuggets visit Philadelphia on Monday night, while the Nets remain home to host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
