Nets topple depleted Bulls for first win streak of season

· New York Post

CHICAGO — The Nets have their first winning streak of the season.

Brooklyn cruised to a 113-103 victory in Chicago before 20,633 at the United Center that was their second in a row, and far easier than it sounds.

The Nets (5-16) led by 19 in the fourth quarter and had the game well in hand against an injury-riddled Bulls team.

Michael Porter Jr. poured in a game-high 33 points, ten rebounds and five assists.

Noah Clowney had 20 points, seven boards and shot 6-of-11 from deep, while Nic Claxton put together another all-around night with 14 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals. But most of all it was perimeter defense that gave them an early lead until their 3-point shooting ended it.

The same Nets that coughed up 71 first-half points Saturday in Milwaukee led 54-44 at the break Wednesday in Chicago.

They held the Bulls to 7-of-30 from behind the arc, and drilled a season-high 19-of-46 from deep themselves.

“We’ve got a winning streak!” Porter said. “We’re getting better, starting to learn how to play with each other. We’re starting to get some continuity, to get some sets we can get into quick when things get rough. That’s what was missing early on.

“At first (Wednesday) was a defensive slugfest; then we started to hit some shots.”

Michael Porter Jr., who scored a game-high 33 points, shoots a 3-pointer during the Nets’ 113-103 road win over the Bulls on Dec. 3, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images

Josh Giddey led the depleted Bulls with a triple double, 28 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. But Chicago played without Coby White, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter and Isaac Okoro, and the Nets smothered them defensively.

Clinging to a 20-18 lead with three minutes left in the first, the Nets mounted a 19-4 blitz that spanned the periods. Danny Wolf’s 3 capped the run and made it 37-24 with 10:10 left in the half.

Brooklyn saw the lead whittled to 56-51 when Giddey found Julian Phillips for a 3 with 10:19 left in the third quarter.

But the Nets responded with another run, this time 14-2 to extend the lead. Porter drilled another 3 off a Claxton pass to pad the lead to 70-53 with 8:10 remaining in the third.

Noah Clowney, who scored 20 points, drives to the basket during the Nets’ road win over the Bulls. NBAE via Getty Images

Clowney’s 3-pointer pushed it to 97-78 with 8:46 to play. After scoring just two points in an 0-for-5 first-half, Clowney had 18 on 6-for-8 in the second.

“To be honest, my looks in the first half were probably better; I just didn’t make them,” Clowney said. “But its rare that I’m going to miss the whole night. Got to make some of them.”

The Nets controlled the rest of the night, but they also fell to fifth in the lottery standings, now a half-game behind Sacramento.

Egor Dёmin, who scored 10 points, dribbles up court during the Nets’ road win over the Bulls. NBAE via Getty Images

The Nets host Utah on Thursday. It’s unclear if Egor Dëmin will play vs. the Jazz. He’s sat out the tail end of two of the Nets’ first four back-to-backs.

Wolf, who is from nearby Glencoe, Illinois and played at Lake Forest Academy, had eight points and was a team-high +11, but with six turnovers.

“Super cool obviously. I heard the support, saw a lot of family and friends. The  biggest thing that mattered was the win, and that’s what we were able to do,” said Wolf, who played in front of his parents and siblings. “Obviously it’s a dream come true to play at this level and to be able to play in front of family and friends. … it’s pretty cool. It’s a special feeling.”