When Nic Claxton grabbed his 12th assist with 1:17 left in the fourth quarter, the Brooklyn Nets had done the unthinkable: beat the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Claxton finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists, becoming the first Nets center to record a triple-double since 2019. The final score: 113-105, in an Emirates NBA Cup clash on November 21, 2025, that turned heads across the league.
Claxton’s Breakout Night
It wasn’t just the stats—it was how he got them. Claxton operated like a point-center, initiating pick-and-rolls, finding cutters, and even stepping out for mid-range jumpers. His 12 assists were the most by a Nets center in over a decade. "He wasn’t just playing defense—he was running the offense," said Tyrese Martin, who added 17 points off the bench. "It’s like he saw the whole floor before anyone else did." The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown’s 26-point, 8-rebound performance, kept it close. Boston led by 11 in the second quarter. But Claxton’s passing unlocked the Nets’ stagnant offense. A 16-3 run in the third, capped by a no-look dime to Day’Ron Sharpe for a dunk, flipped the game.Team Context: A Franchise at a Crossroads
The win improved the Brooklyn Nets to 3-12 on the season—still the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. But it was their first win in five games, and their first victory over a .500 team since October. For a franchise that traded Kevin Durant last summer and is now rebuilding around young talent, this felt different. Not just a win, but a signpost. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics dropped to 8-8, their first losing streak since mid-November. After starting 7-1, they’ve now lost three of four. Jaylen Brown, while dominant, looked exhausted. "We’re playing too much one-on-one," said Derrick White. "We need to move the ball like they did."The Emirates NBA Cup: More Than Just a Tournament
This wasn’t just another regular-season game. The Emirates NBA Cup—a 2023-introduced tournament sponsored by the airline—now carries playoff implications. Teams earn bonus points for wins, and the top eight in the cup standings qualify for a knockout bracket. The Nets’ win pushed them into 10th place in the cup standings; the Celtics remained in fifth. But for Brooklyn, it was a rare chance to build momentum. The game was broadcast live on YES Network in New York and NBC Sports Boston in Massachusetts, with streaming via FuboTV. Viewership spiked 42% compared to previous Nets-Celtics matchups this season, according to Nielsen.Who Else Showed Up?
Beyond Claxton, the Nets got key contributions from Michael Porter Jr. (15 points, 6 rebounds), Egor Demin (11 points, 3 assists), and Ziaire Williams (10 points, 4 steals). The Celtics’ depth was exposed: Anfernee Simons and Hugo Gonzalez combined for 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting. Starter Luka Garza was a non-factor, playing just 14 minutes.What This Means for the Season
As of November 22, 2025, the Detroit Pistons lead the East at 13-2, while the Oklahoma City Thunder sit atop the West at 16-1. The Nets? They’re still a long shot for the playoffs. But with Claxton emerging as a true floor general, and young players like Demin and Williams gaining confidence, the rebuild may be accelerating faster than expected. The Celtics, meanwhile, face questions. Are they too reliant on Brown and Jayson Tatum? Can their bench carry them in the playoffs? Their 8-8 record looks solid—but they’ve lost to the Nets, the Raptors, and the Magic in November. That’s not a championship resume.What’s Next?
The Nets host the Orlando Magic on November 23. The Celtics travel to Miami to face the Heat the same night. Both teams will be closely watched. For Brooklyn, the question isn’t just about wins—it’s about identity. Can Claxton be their cornerstone? Can this roster develop chemistry? For Boston, it’s about urgency. The window is still open, but the cracks are showing.Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is Nic Claxton’s triple-double for the Brooklyn Nets?
Claxton’s 18-point, 11-rebound, 12-assist performance is the first triple-double by a Nets center since Brook Lopez in 2019 and only the third in franchise history for a center. It’s especially meaningful because he’s not a traditional playmaker—his growth as a facilitator signals a potential shift in Brooklyn’s offensive identity, possibly elevating him from role player to franchise cornerstone.
Why does the Emirates NBA Cup matter if it’s not the regular season?
The Emirates NBA Cup awards bonus points that impact playoff seeding. Teams earn 2 points for a win in the group stage, and the top eight teams advance to a knockout bracket. While it doesn’t replace the regular season, it adds stakes to mid-season games and gives teams like the Nets—struggling for relevance—a chance to build momentum and confidence under competitive pressure.
What does this loss reveal about the Boston Celtics’ current roster?
The Celtics’ 8-8 record masks deeper issues: inconsistent bench production, overreliance on Brown and Tatum, and poor interior defense. With Luka Garza and Hugo Gonzalez combining for just 12 points, and no player besides Brown scoring more than 14, Boston’s depth is thin. If they can’t solve this before the All-Star break, their title hopes could stall despite their star power.
Where can fans watch future Nets and Celtics games?
Nets games are broadcast on YES Network and streamed via FuboTV, while Celtics games air on NBC Sports Boston and also stream on FuboTV. The NBA App provides live streams and highlights with no regional restrictions for subscribers. For fans outside the U.S., NBA League Pass remains the primary option, though blackout rules still apply for local broadcasts.
Is Nic Claxton now considered an All-Star caliber player?
Not yet—but he’s trending that way. His triple-double came against a top-5 defense, and he’s now averaging 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists over his last five games. If he sustains this level for another month, he’ll be a serious All-Star candidate. He’s the first player since Draymond Green to average a double-double and 7+ assists as a center, making him a rare modern NBA archetype.
How does this game compare to past Nets-Celtics matchups?
Historically, the Celtics have dominated this rivalry, winning 18 of the last 20 meetings. But this was the first time since 2017 that the Nets won in Boston without Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving on the floor. Claxton’s leadership and the team’s ball movement (32 assists total) made this win feel like a generational shift—not just a fluke.
