The Nets have shut down forward Noah Clowney for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, head coach Jordi Fernandez confirmed after Wednesday’s practice.
Brooklyn has six games left, starting with Thursday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Barclays Center. Its regular-season finale will be played at home on April 13 against the Knicks.
The 20-year-old averaged 9.1 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 35.8% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range, and 83.8% from the free throw line across 46 appearances in his second NBA season. Given his youth, his teammates continue to believe that his best basketball is still ahead 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 said. “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 in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s 115-112 defeat of the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena, a game in which he finished with 13 points, including three made 3-pointers, and five rebounds in just over 19 minutes.
The forward’s best performance of the season came in a 113-98 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 8, where he erupted for 29 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes.
“I think he had a phenomenal season,” Ziaire William said 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.”
Looking ahead to the summer, when Clowney is healthy enough to return to the court, Fernandez believes the key to unlocking the former first-round pick’s potential starts with him continuing to improve his offensive efficiency.
“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 said. “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 lower back contusion minutes before Clowney’s injury on Saturday. The veteran forward was absent from Monday’s road win against the Dallas Mavericks and has already been ruled out of Thursday’s game against Minnesota.
Day’Ron Sharpe, who hasn’t played since March 24 because of a right knee sprain, is expected to be re-evaluated soon, according to Fernandez. However, he’ll remain out against Minnesota.
D’Angelo Russell (right ankle soreness) is listed as probable, while Jalen Wilson (right ankle soreness) is questionable.
