Dorian Finney-Smith shakes off slow start to season to help Nets when needed most

On a nighttime erstwhile nan Nets were down successful size, Dorian Finney-Smith was fresh to transportation nan squad for 40 minutes aliases much if Nic Claxton was ruled out.

Although Claxton did make his first commencement against nan Grizzlies connected Monday aft nursing a hamstring wounded from nan preseason, nan Nets were without Noah Clowney, Ben Simmons and Day’Ron Sharpe.

It was a nighttime nan Nets needed much from their ninth-year guardant and he delivered pinch 17 points, six rebounds, 3 assists, and a bargain to thief nan Nets gain their 4th triumph of nan play — 106-104 complete nan Grizzlies astatine Barclays Center.

Dorian Finney-Smith of nan Brooklyn Nets reacts aft hitting a changeable during nan 2nd half erstwhile nan Brooklyn Nets defeated nan Memphis Grizzlies 106-104 connected Monday, November 4, 2024. Robert Sabo for NY Post

“He’s been a dawg, he’s reliable, he’s healthy,” Claxton said of Finney-Smith aft nan win. “He guards 1 done 5 for america nighttime successful and nighttime out. And we conscionable request guys for illustration that, particularly now pinch america having injuries. He said it tonight, he was fresh to play 40-plus if I wasn’t gonna play. So it’s decidedly — you’ve sewage to extremity your chapeau off.”

Eight of Finney-Smith’s points came successful nan 4th quarter, including a important three-point dagger that collapsed a necktie astatine 101 pinch hardly nether a infinitesimal to play and earned nan Nets nan lead for nan remainder of nan game.

He changeable 5 of 8 from heavy and is nan 2nd subordinate successful squad history to grounds 5 3-pointers and 5 violative boards successful a azygous game. The past to execute nan feat was Kyrie Irving connected Dec. 9, 2022.

The erstwhile 3 games only saw Finney-Smith people arsenic precocious arsenic 9 points.

“Just my team, man. They still spot successful maine moreover though I’ve been struggling nan past mates games, they’ve still been telling maine to sprout nan shot each clip I’m open,” Finney-Smith said connected Monday. “It feels bully erstwhile nan guys astir you person your backmost moreover erstwhile you’re not making shots.”

Dorian Finney-Smith of nan Brooklyn Nets dribbles nan shot during nan crippled against nan Memphis Grizzlies connected November 4, 2024 NBAE via Getty Images

The third-year Net realized he had to usage his legs a small spot much connected Monday, arsenic they person been tired from guarding conscionable astir everyone from constituent guards for illustration Jamal Murray to forwards specified arsenic Jaren Jackson Jr.

“Doe [Finney-Smith] kept shooting and they each went in. Can you ever power it? No, but you power conscionable to return nan bully ones,” caput coach Jordi Fernandez said. “He did and I was very happy for him because I’ve put him successful reliable spots. He’s been guarding centers, he’s been guarding constituent guards. … I’m doing each this to him and he’s fighting. The truth that I tin spot him conflict defensively, but besides spot nan changeable spell in, cipher deserves it much than him.”

The Nets person a lighter load of wounded concerns this week.

Despite Clowney missing Monday’s crippled pinch a sore correct hep aft receiving an MRI exam successful nan greeting up of nan Grizzlies game, he told The Post aft nan triumph that he’s hopeful of playing nan Celtics connected Friday.

“It’s sore. But I should beryllium fine. Yeah,” Clowney said. The uncommon span of 3 days betwixt games should beryllium helpful. “It’s great. Time to recover, get it correct truthful I tin play nan adjacent one.”

Ben Simmons rested connected Monday astatine nan extremity of nan back-to-back to negociate his little backmost load.

The Celtics play nan Warriors connected Wednesday and will beryllium without Jaylen Brown (left hep flexor) and Kristaps Porzingis (tibialis tendon room rehab). Brown has missed nan past 2 games for nan Celtics.