NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (0-1) began their 60th season showing off their classic uniform and going through all of the eras of Nets basketball to get fans excited for the upcoming season. Brooklyn can always put on a good show, especially after a legend like Vince Carter addresses the crowd before a game, but the Charlotte Hornets (1-0) got the better of the Nets.
The Nets lost to the Hornets on Wednesday 110-103 despite the fact that Brooklyn seemed within striking distance for the majority of the game thanks to their two stars. Forward Julius Randle had 33 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists while forward Michael Porter Jr. had 26 points and seven rebounds as the Nets couldn't get much offensive production out of anybody else outside
of those two.
In addition to the overall offensive struggles, the Nets also had plenty of defensive issues as they allowed the Hornets to score 20 second-chance points and guard Grayson Allen to pile up 21 points off the bench. Brooklyn had hoped for a win after all of the pageantry heading into the game, but they will have to play better if they're going to win more games than they did last season.
Here are the Nets player grades after Wednesday's loss to the Hornets to open the 2026-27 season:
Egor Demin: D
Demin was going to have a tough matchup with Dennis Schroder on the other side of the floor to make life tough for any of Brooklyn's ball-carriers. Demin struggled to score the ball overall as he couldn't get a feel for his offense, especially from behind the three-point line, but his defense was solid. The hope is that he can be a more efficient passer as the season progresses.
Keon Ellis: C+
Ellis played the spot that he started at all of preseason and while he has had more potent offensive days, his on-ball defense was valuable for Brooklyn, especially when they were trying to keep pace with the Hornets. Ellis' role has clearly been defined as the one where he guards the opposing team's best perimeter player and while Brandon Miller gave Ellis all he could handle, Ellis held his own.
Michael Porter Jr.: A
Porter had a slow start to this game on the offensive side of the ball as Julius Randle and Egor Demin took the majority of the shots in the first half, but Porter turned his night around in the third quarter. Porter proved in the third quarter alone that he's one of the best three-point shooters in the league when he finds his rhythm while also helping out on the glass and using his length to disrupt Charlotte's passing lanes.
Julius Randle: A+
When the Nets traded for Randle, many around the NBA were wondering what his fit would be like on one of the youngest teams in the league and the season-opener is the clearest indication. Randle assumed the role of being the on-ball creator, for himself and others, and Randle looked about as comfortable as he ever has in that kind of offensive role.
Day'Ron Sharpe: B
Similar to Demin, Sharpe had an interesting ahead of him coming into this game as he had to find a way to keep Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner off the glass, admittedly a tough task for any big in the league to complete. Sharpe dealt with some foul trouble in the early part of this game, but he found his rhythm to have a solid game that definitely has plenty of room for growth.
Noah Clowney: B-
Clowney had been showing through the preseason that he was willing to do whatever the coaching staff asked of him and on Wednesday, he displayed more of the grittier part of his game. Clowney has made it known that he can shoot the three-pointer and create for himself off the dribble, but the toughness that he showed against Charlotte should bode well for what he's able to give defensively.
Chaney Johnson: F
Johnson saw some minutes in the first half after how well he has played this summer and in the preseason, but it became clear early on that he would either need more development or different personnel on the floor with him. Most of the time, Johnson was sharing the floor with either Michael Porter Jr. or Julius Randle and it just didn't seem like a good fit.
Moritz Wagner: D
Wagner plays a different brand of basketball from Sharpe, but what Wagner brings to the team is a mix of playmaking, shooting, and toughness that often frustrates the opposing team's center. Wagner had a decent offensive outing, but his defense will take plenty of work, especially if Sharpe is going to be in foul trouble some of the time.
Mikel Brown Jr.: C+
Brown made his NBA debut, but he had his fair share of struggles on the offensive end as he adjusts to how NBA defenses will defend him and his various tendencies. Brown did a good job of helping out on the boards and he made some nice plays for his teammates, but as long as he continues to make the right decisions, his shooting should improve as the year goes on.
Nolan Traore: D
Traore saw some minutes as the third point guard in the rotation, but he has definitely seen better days on both ends of the floor given his ability. Traore struggled to get anything going on the offensive end of the court and at times, looked like he was out of sorts because he fumbled the ball multiple times. Traore competed on the defensive end so that's something.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades after 110-103 loss to Brandon Miller, Hornets
