The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 133-121, at Spectrum Center on Monday.

The Nets (1-2) clinched their first win of the season and defeated the Hornets (1-2) thanks to a strong start that allowed them to set the tone for the rest of the contest. Brooklyn scored 42 first-quarter points and outscored the Hornets by 19 in the opening 12 minutes. The Nets looked in cruise control the rest of the way, but the Hornets were not going to give up easily. Charlotte won the second quarter by a 32-24 score and reduced the deficit to 11, but the Hornets could not keep the momentum going in the second half. A 33-28 score in the third quarter pretty much closed the game out for Brooklyn, and even though the Hornets won the final 12 minutes by a 38-34 score, it was too much for them to comeback. The Nets moved to 1-1 on the road with the win, while the Hornets fell to 1-2 at home and are yet to play on the road in 2023-24.

Cam Thomas had another impressive performance and keeps showing he has the talent to lead an offense at the NBA level. He racked up 33 points (10-17 FG) while adding two rebounds and two assists. Ben Simmons came close to a triple-double and finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Mikal Bridges delivered 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Dorian Finney-Smith had 19 points, seven boards and two blocks. Lonnie Walker IV had 19 points, five boards and four dimes.

Terry Rozier had 23 points and nine assists to lead the Hornets. LaMelo Bell finished with just eight points in 22 minutes while shooting 3-12 from the field. Mike Williams ended with 18 points and seven rebounds. P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward each delivered 15 points, with Washington adding 12 rebounds and Hayward chipping in with five assists. Brandon Miller had 22 points and nine rebounds off the bench.