Nets player grades: Michael Porter Jr. nets 23 in 126-117 loss to Suns

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NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (12-29) had another instance of a back-to-back where some players that are normally in the rotation were unavailable for a variety of reasons. Brooklyn had to welcome the Phoenix Suns (26-17) to Barclays Center on Monday on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Nets still didn't get their desired result despite playing much better.

The Nets lost to the Suns 126-117 in which Brooklyn was able to come back from a 20-point deficit thanks to the team sticking with the game and making plays in the second half. Forward Michael Porter Jr. led the way for the Nets with 23 points and six rebounds, but he struggled with his shot as he finished shooting 10-of-23 from the field. Forward Noah Clowney had 16 points and one steal and forward Ziaire Williams had 15 points and two steals off the bench.

With Porter back in the lineup, offense was not an issue for the Nets as they finished the game shooting 51.0% from the field, but the defensive side of the floor is what doomed Brooklyn in this one. Dillon Brooks went off for 27 points to lead the Suns in scoring, but Brooklyn did a better job of stringing together good offensive possessions in the second half. Here are the Nets player grades after Monday's loss to the Suns:

Drake Powell: C+

With Egor Demin for the this game due to it being on the second night of a back-to-back, Powell drew the start at the point guard spot and his outing could have gone better. To be clear, Powell did a good job of scoring the ball, especially as he shows off his range from three-point land, but his ball-handling needs some work. Powell didn't turn the ball over too much in this one, but this was most likely an experiment to see if he could handle the role.

Terance Mann: A-

Mann did a great job of picking his spots on the floor, especially when it came to deciding whether he should score or set up one of his teammates. Mann has been asked to play a variety of roles this season, whether it's point guard or the shooting guard that spaces the floor for someone like Demin and he has handled both roles well along with providing his tenacity on defense.

Michael Porter Jr.: B-

Porter had a tough start to this game as he couldn't find his touch from the floor with how he was being defended in the first half, but he shook off that rough start to his usual efficient self. Porter has made a living for making some tough shots and even against a Phoenix defense that was trying to force him to take difficult shots, he never wavered from his goal of making an offensive impact.

Noah Clowney: C+

Clowney had a solid outing on the offensive end of the floor as he played off of Michael Porter Jr. fairly well and he has the ability to be aggressive when he needs to be. With that being said, Clowney has had more of an impact in the rebounding phase of the game and on the defensive end of the floor than he did in this one, but his effort was still evident, which is encouraging.

Nic Claxton: B

Claxton had a solid outing despite having a tough matchup against Mark Williams and by the end of the game, once could argue that the two played to a stalemate. Claxton did a good job of being efficient at the rim and taking the shots that came his way within the flow of the offense while still providing the rebounding and passing that the team is used to seeing from him.

Jalen Wilson: C-

Wilson saw some playing time in this one thanks to some injuries, but he wasn't able to carry over his performance from Sunday in Chicago to this matchup against the Suns. Wilson couldn't get anything to fall from the field as he struggled to get open shots or finish at the rim. Wilson did a solid job of moving the basketball, but his overall impact on the game didn't exist outside of that.

Ziaire Williams: A

Williams had missed a significant amount of time due to an illness and the reconditioning to be ready to play again, but he looked like he never took a day off with his performance against Phoenix. Williams did a great job of shooting the ball from behind the three-point line and his aggression with the ball in his hands allowed him to get to the free-throw line for some easy baskets as well.

Danny Wolf: B-

Wolf had a solid outing in this one as he was impactful on the offensive end thanks to his efficiency and his lack of turnovers that tend to plague him at times. Wolf shot the three-ball well and he made sure to get involved in rebounding situations, but he didn't have some trouble keeping up with how fast the Suns were playing over the course of this matchup.

Tyrese Martin: B-

Martin had a slow start to this one as he didn't play much in the first half, but he found his rhythm in the second half once he started to see the ball more and the Nets began to run more. Martin did a good job of spreading the floor for his teammates while also remaining ready to contribute if the ball swung his way and he made a solid impact on the defensive end at the same time.

Nolan Traore: B

Traore's shot wasn't as consistent in this one as it was on Sunday, but he still had some impressive moments, especially when he went full-steam ahead to the basket. Everyone that has watched Traore has talked about how fast he is and when he eventually figures out how to repeatedly get to his spot on the floor, he'll be able to get a few points at the basket every game.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades: Michael Porter Jr. nets 23 in 126-117 loss to Suns

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