What We Learned from the Hornets Loss to Brooklyn
The Charlotte Hornets entered Monday night feeling optimistic defeating the Bulls after defeating the Bulls and Raptors this weekend, securing consecutive wins for the first time this season. That small burst of momentum faded quickly as they fell 116-103 to a Brooklyn Nets team that has struggled even more this season than Charlotte. It was the kind of game that leaves fans frustrated, since the Hornets looked like the stronger team on paper. The loss drops them to 6–15 on the year and raises familiar questions about consistency. Brooklyn now sits at 4–16 and walked away with one of their most complete performances of the season.
Bench Brings Energy
The biggest story for Charlotte came from the bench, which clearly outplayed the starting group. Moussa Diabate, Collin Sexton, Antonio Reeves, and Tidjane Salaun all finished in double figures and gave the Hornets energy every time they checked in. Reeves and Salaun have spent time with the Greensboro Swarm this year, so seeing both score efficiently in their return to NBA action was a bright spot. Their production kept Charlotte afloat during stretches when the starters struggled. The second unit’s fight made the overall performance from the starters feel even more disappointing.
Starters Struggle to Find Answers
Kon Knueppel was the lone starter who consistently made things happen, finishing with 18 points and giving Charlotte reliable scoring on the wing. LaMelo Ball passed the ball well and recorded 14 assists, although his shooting issues resurfaced at the wrong time. His shot selection continues to be a concern, and the Hornets need him to find a rhythm soon if they hope to stabilize the offense. Miles Bridges could not follow up his strong 35-point effort from Saturday and never found a way to impact the game. Sion James has cooled off from three after a hot start to the season, and Ryan Kalkbrenner continues to struggle to establish himself as a force on the glass.
Brooklyn’s Star Takes Control
The Hornets had no answer for Michael Porter Jr., who took full control of the game for Brooklyn. He finished with 35 points while hitting seven threes and looked comfortable from start to finish. Charlotte’s perimeter defense allowed too many open looks and gave Porter too much space to operate. Brooklyn also won the rebounding battle and took advantage of second-chance opportunities throughout the night. The combination of defensive lapses and poor shooting from the starters made it nearly impossible for Charlotte to recover.
Looking Ahead to New York
Charlotte now turns its attention to Wednesday night when the team travels to Madison Square Garden to face Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks. The Hornets will need a sharper performance from their starters to compete in that environment. The bench continues to be a bright spot, although the team cannot rely on that group to carry the load every night. The loss to Brooklyn should serve as a reminder that the margin for error is small for this roster. A stronger and more engaged effort will be necessary to avoid slipping further down the standings.
