MPJ Clutches Up: Nets Survive Bulls’ Furious 20-Point Comeback in 112–109 Thriller

BROOKLYN – The Brooklyn Nets nearly watched a dominant performance evaporate into a nightmare, but a late-game hero emerged to save the night. Michael Porter Jr. drove to the hoop for a go-ahead layup with just 5.4 seconds remaining, lifting the Nets to a gritty 112–109 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the Barclays Center on Friday night.

The win snapped a disappointing five-game losing streak for Brooklyn (12–27) and delivered a heartbreaking blow to a Bulls team that had fought all the way back from a 20-point deficit.

The Turning Point: A Game of Two Halves

For the first 24 minutes, it looked like Brooklyn would cruise to an easy victory. The Nets unleashed a devastating 15–0 scoring run in the second quarter, ballooning their lead to 57–39 just before halftime. Noah Clowney was the catalyst during this stretch, dominating the paint on both ends of the floor.

However, the Bulls (19–21) found their rhythm in the fourth quarter. Led by Nikola Vucevic (19 points, 6 rebounds) and a scoring burst from Jalen Smith, Chicago exploded for 37 points in the final frame. When Tre Jones converted a layup with 14 seconds left, the Bulls took their first lead of the second half, 109–108, completing a massive 20-point turnaround.

Porter Jr. and Clowney Lead the Way

With their backs against the wall, the Nets turned to their leading scorer. MPJ, who finished with 26 points, took the inbound pass and aggressively attacked the rim to reclaim the lead.

"We needed this one bad," Porter Jr. said post-game. "After blowing a lead like that, you have to find a way to win. It shows growth that we didn't fold."

Key Performers:

Michael Porter Jr. (BKN): 26 pts, 7 reb, 5 3PM, Game-winning layup.
Noah Clowney (BKN): 23 pts, 11 reb (Season-high performance).
Nikola Vucevic (CHI): 19 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast.
Ayo Dosunmu (CHI): 18 pts off the bench (7/13 FG).
Jalen Smith (CHI): 14 pts, 13 reb, 4 blk (Key factor in the 4th quarter surge).

Statistical Breakdown

Team	FG %	3PT %	Rebounds	Turnovers
Bulls	48%	31%	48	8
Nets	42%	47%	57	14

Brooklyn’s edge on the glass (57–41) and their blistering 47% shooting from deep (19 made triples) proved to be just enough to offset Chicago’s superior ball security and fast-break points.

Up Next:

The two teams won't have to wait long for a rematch. The scene shifts to the United Center this Sunday, where the Bulls will look to settle the score on their home court.