Nets’ Noah Clowney delivers strong statement in place of Michael Porter Jr.

The Nets’ focus is on the future. There is no alternative with the NBA’s youngest roster and a losing streak with no end in sight.

But on a night when three of their record-setting five first-round picks didn’t see action until garbage time, 21-year-old Noah Clowney made his strongest statement of the season about his place in the team’s rebuilding plans, putting up a season-high 15 points, six rebounds and two steals in the Nets’ 125-109 loss to the Timberwolves at Barclays Center.

Clowney, a 2023 first-round pick out of Alabama, entered the game averaging just 4.3 points on 23.3 percent shooting from the field, but the 6-foot-10 forward made the most of his first start of the season, filling in for Michael Porter Jr., who was out due to personal reasons.

“I’m really proud of Noah with how aggressive he was and how he played,” Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said. “That’s the Noah that we want, the fight and physicality. I thought he did very well.”

Clowney helped spark an early Nets lead, forcing turnovers and diving on the floor. The third-year big also was 4-of-12 shooting 3-pointers after missing nine straight attempts in his previous three games.

Before the game, Fernández met with Clowney, and delivered a simple message.

“Just play hard,” Clowney relayed. “My mindset was just to play hard and not think about the other stuff. … I made it a point to get engaged on the defensive end and I think the shots fell because I was more locked in.”

Fernández said he does not expect Porter to miss additional time. Through six games, the longtime Nuggets forward was averaging multiple career highs, leading the Nets in rebounds (8.0) and assists (3.0), while only trailing Cam Thomas in scoring (20.8) … Drake Powell (right ankle sprain) was also out after suffering an injury in Sunday’s loss to the 76ers, but Fernández expects the rookie to return soon.

“We’re not concerned,” Fernández said. “Actually, [when] he sprained it last time, he came back pretty quick.”

Danny Wolf returned from an ankle injury to make his NBA debut. As the last of the five Nets first-round picks to appear in a game, Wolf entered with 3:33 left in the game, and finished with one rebound and two assists, missing his only shot attempt.