Nets’ Noah Clowney delivers the strongest statement yet 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 that seems never-ending.

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

Clowney, a 2023 first-round pick out of Alabama, came into the game averaging just 4.3 points on 23.3 percent shooting from the field, but the 6-foot-4 forward made the most of his first start of the season, filling in for Michael Porter Jr., who sat out for personal reasons.

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

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

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

“Just play hard,” Clowney said. “My mentality was just play hard and not think about other things. … I made it a point to get involved on defense and I think the shots were falling because I was more locked in.”

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

“We are not worried,” Fernández said. “Actually, [when] he sprained it last time, he came back pretty quickly.

Danny Wolf returned from an ankle injury to make his NBA debut. The last of the Nets’ five 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.