Hornets vs Nets Recap: Charlotte Wins 117-86 in Brooklyn

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Brooklyn Nets 117-86 on Tuesday, March 31, at Barclays Center, with Brandon Miller leading all scorers with 25 points in a balanced road win. Charlotte took control early, built a double-digit cushion in the first quarter, and never gave it back.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Charlotte set the tone immediately, outscoring Brooklyn 35-18 in the opening period. The Hornets moved the ball well, found clean looks, and forced the Nets to play from behind almost right away. Brooklyn shot just 38.4 percent for the game and never fully recovered from that slow start.

Second Quarter

The Nets showed some resistance in the second, edging the Hornets 27-23 in the quarter. Brooklyn was more organized offensively and trimmed little from the overall deficit, but Charlotte still carried a 58-45 lead into halftime. That stretch kept the Hornets in control despite their one lower-scoring quarter of the night.

Third Quarter

The game swung decisively after halftime. Charlotte won the third quarter 31-18, reestablishing full control behind efficient scoring and a clear edge on the glass. The Hornets consistently created second-chance opportunities and limited Brooklyn’s ability to generate any sustained run.

Fourth Quarter

With a comfortable lead entering the final period, Charlotte finished the job by taking the fourth 28-23. The Hornets continued to get contributions across the lineup, while Brooklyn could not make up ground from the perimeter after shooting just 7-for-35 from 3-point range.

Key Performers

Charlotte Hornets:
Brandon Miller led the way with 25 points and was the game’s top scorer. LaMelo Ball directed the offense with 9 assists, helping Charlotte total 28 assists as a team. Moussa Diabate added a strong interior presence with 12 rebounds as the Hornets finished with a 47-30 advantage on the boards.

Brooklyn Nets:
Josh Minott paced Brooklyn with 14 points. Drake Powell led the Nets with 6 rebounds, while Nolan Traore recorded a team-high 4 assists. Brooklyn had a difficult offensive night overall, finishing at 38.4 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from beyond the arc.

NerdSports Stat: Charlotte finished plus-31 from the 3-point line and rebounding combined, making five more threes than Brooklyn while collecting 17 more rebounds.

Game Analysis

This game was shaped by Charlotte’s early execution and steady control of the possession battle. The Hornets shot 47.1 percent from the field, handed out 28 assists, and matched Brooklyn at the foul line with 23 made free throws. Even without a huge 3-point percentage at 30.8 percent, Charlotte generated enough quality possessions to separate.

Brooklyn’s issues were clear in the numbers. The Nets made only 7 of 35 attempts from deep and managed 14 assists on 28 made field goals. That lack of offensive flow made it difficult to keep pace, especially after giving up 35 points in the first quarter and another 31 in the third. Charlotte’s rebounding edge also limited Brooklyn’s margin for error throughout the night.

The Hornets did not need one overwhelming individual performance because their collective production carried the game. Miller’s 25 points set the standard, Ball kept the offense organized, and Diabate’s work on the glass helped Charlotte maintain control in both halves.

Closing Context

With the win, Charlotte improved to 40-36 and strengthened its position heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Nets dropped to 18-58, continuing a difficult campaign at 10-27 at home. For Charlotte, this was the kind of road performance that matters in the Eastern Conference standings: a fast start, consistent execution, and a result secured well before the final buzzer.

Frequently Asked Questions