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October 7, 2026 at 4:52 AM UTC

Postgame Report

Nets run Hornets out of their own gym, 124-90, in preseason opener

Brooklyn beat a short-handed Charlotte by 34 in the Hornets' first game since the Play-In loss to Orlando.

BKN 124, CHA 90. Photo: Yahoo Sports.
BKN 124, CHA 90. Photo: Yahoo Sports.

CHARLOTTE – The Hornets' first game since their Play-In loss to the Magic was not much of a reintroduction. Brooklyn beat them 124-90 on Tuesday night in the opener of a four-game preseason schedule, and the margin was never in doubt for long.

The frontcourt was the thing to watch before tip, and Charlotte gave an answer of sorts. Moussa Diabate started at center with Naz Reid beside him at forward, which keeps the job with Diabate for now. His night was quiet: four points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. Reid scored 13 in 16 minutes. Rookie Hannes Steinbach came off the bench and had seven points and four rebounds in 14 minutes, hardly enough to settle anything.

The backcourt was patched together. Coby White, who had been listed out with a left calf strain, did not play, and Dennis Schroder started in his place, finishing with five points and two assists in 15 minutes. Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams were also out, which left the rotation thin and handed Tidjane Salaun a team-high 28 minutes. He scored six. Liam McNeeley led Charlotte with 14 points and Grayson Allen added 13, but nobody else got to double figures.

Brooklyn had no such problems. Michael Porter Jr. scored 16 points in 17 minutes and Julius Randle added 13 in 18, both starting alongside Day'Ron Sharpe, who had eight points and seven rebounds. Keon Ellis opened in the backcourt next to Egor Demin, and Terance Mann came off the bench. Nolan Traore scored 10, and Danny Wolf and Moritz Wagner each handed out five assists as the reserves kept the pressure on. The highlight clips went up quickly, though the score tells the story well enough.

BKN 124, CHA 90. Photo: Sports Illustrated.
BKN 124, CHA 90. Photo: Sports Illustrated.
BKN 124, CHA 90. Photo: Yahoo Sports.
BKN 124, CHA 90. Photo: Yahoo Sports.

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