Charlotte Hornets opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a 110-103 win over the Brooklyn Nets, showing a more balanced offensive approach after trading LaMelo Ball to Minnesota. Naz Reid, acquired in the Ball trade, led the Hornets with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, making an immediate impact in his debut.
Reid became the first player in franchise history to record at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in his first game for Charlotte. He hit four 3-pointers and helped the Hornets generate 20 second-chance points. His passing was on display as well, distributing seven assists, a sign the team expects him to contribute beyond scoring.
Grayson Allen, another offseason addition, came off the bench to score 21 points, including five three-pointers. Allen shot six of nine from the field and finished with a plus-minus rating of plus-20 in 29 minutes. Dennis Schroder also chipped in 19 points and six assists, making his debut for his 12th NBA franchise.
Brandon Miller added 18 points and Moussa Diabate scored 17, with five Hornets players reaching double figures. This balanced scoring illustrates Charlotte’s new strategy to replace Ball’s playmaking with multiple offensive options rather than relying on a single star.
The Nets leaned heavily on Julius Randle, who posted 33 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Michael Porter Jr. scored 26 points, adding seven rebounds. However, no other Brooklyn player reached double digits, an issue that contributed to their defeat despite a third-quarter lead.
Charlotte’s timely three-pointers from Allen and Reid helped swing momentum back in their favour. In the fourth quarter, Schroder scored eight consecutive points to pull the Hornets away in the closing minutes. The win marks a promising start for a team looking to establish a new identity after a bold offseason move.
Reid’s versatile offensive performance, combining scoring, rebounding, and playmaking, showed potential for the Hornets’ more balanced attack. Allen’s shooting off the bench added another dimension to their offense. Their contributions helped the Hornets overcome the loss of Ball and suggested the new roster mix can compete.
The victory is an encouraging sign but does not position Charlotte as a top contender in the Eastern Conference just yet. Still, the team's spread of scoring and Reid’s immediate influence offer a clearer picture of what the Hornets might look like this season.
The Hornets will look to build on this performance as they continue their schedule. Meanwhile, the Nets’ reliance on a couple of players exposed a lack of depth in scoring that could trouble them moving forward.
According to Yahoo Sports.
