Noah Clowney Emerging as Key Bright Spot in Nets’ Difficult Start

Noah Clowney entered this season facing uncertainty about his place in the Brooklyn Nets’ plans. After an injury-plagued second year marked by poor shooting and inconsistency, it was unclear whether the former first-round pick would take a step forward or fall behind in the team’s crowded developmental picture. His 35.8 percent shooting in 2024-25 only amplified doubts about whether he could become a reliable rotation piece.

That conversation has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. Clowney’s move to the starting lineup has coincided with the most productive stretch of his young career, offering Brooklyn a rare source of optimism amid a challenging start to the season. His improved scoring efficiency, stronger physicality, and more decisive attacking have stood out on a roster desperate for dependable production.

Clowney’s 31-point performance against the New York Knicks, highlighted by seven made threes, provided the clearest illustration yet of his growth. The showing earned strong praise from head coach Jordi Fernandez, who emphasized the 21-year-old’s increased confidence and consistency. It was the type of game that signaled not just a hot streak, but a player beginning to understand how to impose himself offensively.

The challenge now, as Fernandez noted, is sustaining this level. For a player who struggled to establish an identity early in his career, Clowney’s current stretch represents an important pivot point—one that could determine how he fits into Brooklyn’s long-term future.

1. Offensive Growth Sparks Breakthrough

Clowney’s leap has been driven primarily by improved efficiency across the board. Over his last 10 outings, he has averaged 16.7 points while shooting 45 percent from the field, 37 percent from three, and nearly 80 percent at the line. His true shooting percentage during that span ranks among the top quarter of high-volume scorers in the league, a notable rise for a player once limited to spot-up attempts. The biggest change has been his scoring inside the arc. After converting just 41 percent of his two-point attempts last season, Clowney is up to 56.8 percent this year, largely due to added strength and better control of his drives. His offseason focus on ball-handling and body control has allowed him to absorb contact, finish through defenders, and create cleaner angles at the rim. Fernandez has repeatedly pointed to Clowney’s growth in decision-making and willingness to attack. Those traits have also contributed to a jump in free-throw rate, with the forward nearly doubling his trips to the line per 100 possessions. His newfound physicality has helped compensate for a still-developing handle, allowing him to generate offense even against set defenses. Clowney’s own assessment has been simple: stay aggressive. Maintaining that approach has opened up the rest of his game and forced defenses to treat him as more than a spot shooter, creating greater balance in Brooklyn’s half-court attack.

2. Improved Spacing and Shot Selection Fuel Confidence

While Clowney began the year cold from beyond the arc, opposing defenses have continued to respect his perimeter threat. That respect has created driving lanes and allowed him to punish closeouts with more decisive reads. Monday’s seven made threes illustrated how quickly his outside shooting can tilt defenses when he finds a rhythm. Clowney acknowledged that reading defensive coverage remains a work in progress. He noted that his shot volume can fluctuate depending on the openings opponents provide, citing the difference between his 13 attempts from deep against New York and far fewer, less comfortable looks in previous games. The ability to strike a balance between catch-and-shoot opportunities and off-the-dribble attacks remains an important developmental step. Those decisions have been increasingly sound in recent weeks. With defenders chasing him off the line more aggressively, Clowney has been able to generate paint touches that complement his improved interior scoring. His added strength has allowed him to hold angles and finish plays that previously resulted in blocked shots or altered attempts. As his rhythm improves, so does Brooklyn’s spacing. The Nets’ offense has more room to operate with Clowney stretching defenses, especially given the team’s rotating cast of creators throughout the season.

3. Defensive Progress Anchors Larger Role

Clowney’s early-season defense left the coaching staff searching for consistency, but recent improvement has been notable. Brooklyn’s aggressive pick-and-roll coverage puts pressure on its forwards to rotate as low men, protect the paint, and clean up breakdowns. Clowney’s strides in awareness and positioning have aligned with the team’s overall defensive progress. The Nets surrendered a league-worst 59.1 points in the paint per game through their first 11 outings. Over the last six, that number has dropped to 42.7—third fewest in the NBA. Clowney’s presence, particularly as a secondary rim protector, has been a significant factor in that turnaround. His ability to contest without fouling and track drivers has improved steadily since entering the starting unit. That two-way impact is reflected in his +14.4 net rating, one of the highest in the league among players with at least 400 minutes played. On a team that has struggled to find stability, Clowney has emerged as a reliable contributor whose energy and defensive range help offset some of Brooklyn’s structural weaknesses. Though Brooklyn remains deep in a rebuild and sits near the bottom of the standings, Clowney’s emergence has become one of the season’s most encouraging developments. His improvements offer a glimpse of what the Nets’ young core could look like if their collection of recent first-round picks continues to progress.