The Brooklyn Nets opened their season with high hopes, looking to establish a new rhythm after an offseason full of changes. With Nic Claxton as the longest-tenured player on the roster, the expectation was that he would step into a bigger leadership role. Yet, as the Nets faced off against the Atlanta Hawks in their season opener, a tense moment in the fourth quarter saw Claxton watching the end of the game from the locker room rather than the bench.
The night was shaping up to be competitive, with the Nets trailing by just four points midway through the fourth quarter. The pace of the game was high, and the Hawks, led by a young and aggressive Dyson Daniels, capitalized on turnovers to keep the Nets on edge. But with just over eight minutes left on the clock, things took a dramatic turn that shifted the momentum entirely.
In a fast break that followed a Brooklyn turnover, Daniels raced down the court, eyes on an easy layup. However, what seemed like a routine play turned into something far more chaotic when Claxton, instead of going for the ball, extended his arm and hit Daniels in the upper body as he rose toward the rim. The force of the blow sent Daniels crashing to the floor, his head snapping back on impact.
Daniels, unfazed by the fall, quickly sprang to his feet and immediately confronted Claxton. The two exchanged heated words before their teammates and security staff intervened, ensuring the situation didn’t escalate into anything more physical. No punches were thrown, but the tension was palpable as both teams prepared for the officials’ ruling.
The referees, after reviewing the footage, decided Claxton’s foul warranted a Flagrant 2, which is defined by the NBA as “unnecessary and excessive contact.” Crew chief David Guthrie explained the decision after the game, noting that Claxton’s actions had all the hallmarks of such a foul. “There was wind-up, hard impact, and follow-through to a vulnerable airborne player,”Guthrie said. “The potential for injury was there.”
Claxton’s ejection proves costly as Nets struggle late in season opener loss
Claxton’s ejection came at a critical moment, with the Nets down 93-89 and eight minutes still remaining. Without their defensive anchor, Brooklyn struggled to keep pace with the Hawks, who pulled away to secure a 120-116 victory. Claxton’s absence was felt on both ends of the floor, and the Nets were left to regroup after a game that could have easily gone their way.
Brooklyn head coach Jordi Fernandez spoke after the game, acknowledging that while Claxton’s foul was severe, it was not intentional. “Yeah, that was clearly a foul,”Fernandez said. “You know, we don’t want to see anybody get hurt. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to.”
Despite the unfortunate ending, Claxton’s early ejection is likely to be a talking point as the season progresses. As the Nets’ longest-tenured player, much has been expected from him, especially in a leadership capacity. This incident, though, raises questions about how he will handle that pressure moving forward.
For the Hawks, the win was a statement that their young core, including Daniels, can weather adversity and keep their composure. For the Nets, the loss highlighted the challenges they’ll face as they navigate this new era post-offseason, with Claxton’s role in the team’s future now more uncertain than ever.
