Nic Claxton Gushes Over Cam Thomas’s Efficiency in Nets Win Over Timberwolves. Cam Thomas looked sharp as ever after playing in his first game since being sidelined with a hamstring injury on Nov. 5.

Cam Thomas Shines in Return as Nets Dominate Timberwolves: Nic Claxton’s Praise Highlights Efficiency

On December 27, 2025, the Brooklyn Nets delivered an impressive road performance, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-107 at Target Center in Minneapolis. The victory marked Brooklyn’s third straight win, improving their record to 10-19 and showcasing their resurgence in December with a 7-3 monthly mark. The game was defined by strong bench production, dominant paint scoring, and the long-awaited return of guard Cam Thomas, who exploded for 30 points in limited minutes.

Thomas, sidelined since November 5 with a left hamstring strain that caused him to miss 20 games, made an immediate impact off the bench. Playing just under 20 minutes (19:48 to be precise), he shot an efficient 9-of-15 from the field (60%), including 3-of-8 from three-point range (37.5%), and went a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. He added four assists, three rebounds, and zero turnovers, contributing to Brooklyn’s season-high 62 bench points.

Center Nic Claxton, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and strong defensive presence against Rudy Gobert, couldn’t contain his admiration for Thomas’s performance post-game. “I’ve never seen somebody play 20 minutes and get 30,” Claxton told reporters. “It was so efficient. It’s so effortless.” Claxton emphasized Thomas’s value to the team: “We need him. He takes our team to a whole other level, especially with the way that we’ve been playing, especially defensively. When things get stagnant, he can just score at will.”

Claxton’s comments underscore a key theme of the Nets’ recent success: a blend of elite defense and opportunistic scoring. Brooklyn held Minnesota to 44.6% shooting while forcing them into inefficient stretches, particularly in the second half where the Nets outscored the Timberwolves 61-44. The Nets also dominated the paint, scoring a season-high 66 points inside compared to Minnesota’s 46.

Game Breakdown: How the Nets Pulled Away

The contest started competitively, with both teams trading blows in a physical first half. Brooklyn led 33-30 after the first quarter, but Minnesota edged ahead 63-62 at halftime behind Anthony Edwards’s scoring. Edwards, playing through a sore shoulder, led the Timberwolves with 28 points, but the home team struggled to maintain momentum.

The turning point came in the third quarter, where Brooklyn outscored Minnesota 36-23. Thomas ignited the run, scoring 12 straight Nets points in a 3:32 span, including back-to-back threes that gave Brooklyn an 89-82 lead. His burst of speed and pull-up game looked unchanged despite the lengthy layoff, silencing any concerns about rust.

Forward Michael Porter Jr. complemented Thomas perfectly, posting a double-double with 27 points (9-of-16 shooting) and 10 rebounds, including several clutch threes late in the game. The Nets’ bench overwhelmed Minnesota’s reserves 62-33, with contributions from Day’Ron Sharpe and others adding energy and rebounding.

Brooklyn’s shooting efficiency was a season-best 54.8%, and they weathered a cold night from beyond the arc (11-of-40, 27.5%) by attacking the rim relentlessly. Defensively, they limited the Timberwolves’ stars: Julius Randle had 13 points and 11 assists but shot inefficiently, while Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels added 13 and 16 points, respectively.

Cam Thomas’s Return: A Game-Changer for Brooklyn

Thomas’s comeback couldn’t have been scripted better. Entering as the first substitute, he initially faced a 7-0 Minnesota run but quickly adjusted. His first basket came on a backdoor cut—a sign of smart off-ball movement—before transitioning to his signature mid-range pull-ups and drives that drew fouls.

This performance marked Thomas’s 30th career 30-point game and his sixth off the bench, setting a Nets franchise record. At 24 years old, Thomas has established himself as one of the league’s premier microwave scorers. Pre-injury, he averaged 21.4 points on solid efficiency, and his return addresses Brooklyn’s occasional offensive stagnation.

Head coach Jordi Fernández praised Thomas’s decision-making: “He let the game come to him… Four assists to zero turnovers, he made the simple play every time.” Fernández noted the need to manage Thomas’s minutes carefully as he ramps up, but the impact was undeniable.

Teammates echoed Claxton’s enthusiasm. Day’Ron Sharpe called Thomas’s scoring “elite in all three levels,” while Claxton added he wasn’t surprised: “I’ve seen him do it before. I’m just happy that he’s feeling good and his body is holding up.”

Nic Claxton’s Role in the Nets’ Turnaround

Claxton, playing perhaps the best basketball of his career, has been the anchor of Brooklyn’s defensive identity. Facing one of the league’s top rim protectors in Gobert, Claxton scored efficiently (often on lobs and putbacks) while switching effectively on the perimeter. His versatility allows the Nets to play fast and scrappy, as he noted post-game: “We were just connected.”

Claxton’s excitement about pairing with Thomas stems from past experiences. Thomas’s gravity creates open looks for bigs like Claxton in pick-and-rolls, and with Porter Jr. thriving (averaging 28.4 points in December), Brooklyn’s offense gains another dimension.

“When you’ve got Mike playing at the level that he’s playing right now, then you throw a Cam Thomas in the fold, and you have us defending the way that we are, we’re gonna be an extremely tough team to beat every night,” Claxton said. “We’re gonna compete, because those are two extremely gifted scorers.”

Broader Implications for the Nets

Brooklyn’s December surge—now boasting the NBA’s fifth-best record this month and top-ranked defense (103.1 points allowed)—signals a potential shift from rebuild to competitiveness. After starting 1-12, they’ve gone 9-7 since mid-November, relying on defense and emerging stars.

Thomas’s health is crucial; hamstring issues have plagued him before, but his effortless scoring provides a ceiling-raiser. Combined with Porter Jr.’s breakout and young pieces like Noah Clowney and Day’Ron Sharpe contributing, the Nets look connected and confident.

For Minnesota (now 20-12), back-to-back losses highlight vulnerabilities despite a strong start. Edwards carried the load, but the team shot poorly overall and couldn’t match Brooklyn’s second-half energy.

Key Stats Comparison

Thomas’s efficient explosion validated Claxton’s gushing praise and propelled the Nets to a statement win. As Brooklyn integrates their scoring guard fully, expectations rise for a team that’s suddenly fun to watch and hard to beat.