Hornets Defeat Nets 110-103 in Season Opener Behind Newcomers

The Charlotte Hornets tipped off their 2026-27 NBA campaign on Wednesday night with a 110-103 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center, securing their sixth consecutive season-opening win. Playing without injured starters Coby White and Kon Knueppel, the shorthanded Hornets relied heavily on new additions and bench production to establish a fresh identity following the offseason trade of star point guard LaMelo Ball to Minnesota.

Naz Reid made a historic impact in his first appearance for Charlotte, recording 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. His stat line marked the first time a player in franchise history achieved a 20-point, 10-rebound, and 5-assist performance in a team debut. Reid showcased his floor-spacing ability by connecting on four 3-pointers while anchoring the frontcourt alongside Moussa Diabate, who contributed 17 points.

Grayson Allen provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 21 points in 29 minutes while shooting effectively from beyond the arc. Allen sank five long-range shots, including a clutch 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory after Brooklyn's Egor Demin committed a turnover.

Veteran point guard Dennis Schroder also made his debut, marking his 12th different NBA franchise, and finished with 19 points and six assists. Schroder scored eight consecutive points during a crucial stretch in the final period to help push Charlotte ahead after their 10-point lead had been trimmed to five heading into the fourth quarter.

Brandon Miller added 18 points for the Hornets, highlighted by a powerful dunk during the second half that energized the team's offense. Despite missing multiple key players, Charlotte utilized a balanced offensive attack and strong offensive rebounding to maintain control down the stretch.

The Nets received stellar performances from their own newcomers, as Julius Randle poured in 33 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in his debut. Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points and seven rebounds, while rookie Mikel Brown Jr. chipped in six points off the bench. However, none of Brooklyn's other three starters reached double figures.

Brooklyn briefly trimmed the deficit to 94-90 following a floater from Porter with 7:20 remaining in regulation, but the lack of secondary scoring ultimately hurt the home side. Schroder's fourth-quarter surge and Allen's late perimeter shooting kept the Nets at bay.

With the opening-night victory in the books, the Hornets return home to host the Atlanta Hawks for their home opener on Friday. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets will look to bounce back when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday.