However, in the Nets’ 120-116 loss, his actions down the stretch gave Atlanta the edge it needed to emerge victorious at State Farm Stadium. Brooklyn was trailing by five points with 8:03 left when Claxton clotheslined Dyson Daniels at the rim in transition.

After a Dyson Daniels steal, he was clotheslined on a breakaway layup by Claxton, who made little attempt at the ball. Daniels got up, ran to Claxton and grabbed him out of bounds, forcing both to be separated.

The Brooklyn Nets came into Wednesday's game at the Atlanta Hawks hoping to start the season off on the right foot with a win over a tough opponent. Brooklyn and Atlanta have been involved in some exciting matchups over the past couple of years that have produced some wild finishes and it was reasonable to expect the same to happen again.