NEW YORK (AP) — Nic Claxton scored 28 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 123-113 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.
Noah Clowney added 20 points for Brooklyn, which won its second in a row. Drake Powell had 14 points off the bench, rookies Danny Wolf and Nolan Traore each had 13 and Ziaire Williams added 11.
Click to Gallery
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) attempts to pass away during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell (4) is blocked by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Saraf (77) reacts as he gets fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) is hit by Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
The Nets won three of the four meetings between the Eastern Conference teams that are rebuilding.
Anfernee Simons scored 23 points for Chicago, which lost its fifth straight. Collin Sexton scored 19 off the bench and Matas Buzelis had 18.
The Nets began the third quarter with a 14-5 spurt over the first three minutes to extend their advantage to 15 at 74-59. But Chicago responded with a 30-15 run over the final nine minutes of the quarter to tie it at 89 entering the fourth.
Two free throws by Isaac Okoro two minutes into the fourth gave the Bulls their first lead since early in the second at 93-91. The Nets then had a 12-6 spurt over the next three minutes to regain the advantage, 103-99.
The teams traded scores the rest of the way, with the most significant being Wolf’s layup with 3:33 remaining and two free throws by Claxton free throws on the next possession that extended Brooklyn’s lead to 115-107.
Both teams were short-handed. The Nets didn't have leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (right knee tendinitis) and rookie guard Egor Demin (rest), while Chicago missed Zach Collins (sprained right toe), Josh Giddey (strained left hamstring), Tre Jones (strained left hamstring), and Noa Essengue (left shoulder surgery).
Bulls: Play at Boston on Wednesday night.
Nets: Host Indiana on Wednesday night.
—
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) attempts to pass away during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell (4) is blocked by Chicago Bulls forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Saraf (77) reacts as he gets fouled during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) is hit by Chicago Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
