Versatile Claxton plays vital role in come-from-behind ‘W’

After spending the entire first half Friday night tied to the bench, Nic Claxton was unleashed by Nets coach Steve Nash. The decision was instrumental in a comefrom-behind victory in Atlanta.

In 17 second-half minutes, the third-year forward registered a plus-nine rating in the Nets’ 113-105 victory over the Hawks, and his defense played a key role in a dominant fourth quarter. With the more mobile Claxton on the floor, the Nets began switching everything, and contained Hawks star point guard Trae Young over the final 12 minutes. In that span, they outscored Atlanta, 24-14.

“He’s guarding [center Clint] Capela one minute, he’s guarding Trae Young the next,” Nash said. “So we can go to our switching defense and just mix it up and keep bodies in front of the ball and when he’s able to guard like that it makes it very difficult for the other team.”

In a game-turning 14-4 run in the fourth quarter, Claxton also contributed two monster dunks, one on a follow slam and another on a feed from James Harden.

“Those felt good,” said Claxton, in his fourth game back after missing significant time with an undisclosed non-COVID-19 illness. “I didn’t even watch them yet, but I know they look good. I was happy to get those.”

➤ Two nights after the Nets rested LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant for the second game of a back-to-back set, they considered doing the same with Harden.

But he was having none of it. Instead, he logged major minutes for the third time in four nights.

“I want to win, man,” said Harden, who had 20 points and 11 assists Friday. “I don’t care about nothing else but winning. I don’t care about nothing else. That’s all. Try to be in attack mode, try to find open players and just play the game the right way, but whatever it takes to win.”

Harden, known for rarely sitting when healthy, played 39:19 in a loss Wednesday at Houston and 41:35 the night before at Dallas. He played 40:31 on Friday.