National Basketball Association
Brooklyn 133, Charlotte 121
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, October 30, 2023
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Officials: #50 Gediminas Petraitis, #12 CJ Washington, #13 Ashley Moyer-Gleich
Attendance: 14491

Cam Thomas scored 19 of his 33 points in the second half and helped carry the Brooklyn Nets to their first victory of the season, a 133-121 decision against the host Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Mikal Bridges added 24 points and Lonnie Walker IV and Dorian Finney-Smith each notched 19 points. Brooklyn shot 56.3 percent from the field.

The Nets made 12 of 33 shots from 3-point range (36.4 percent).

Terry Rozier scored 23 points and rookie Brandon Miller came off the bench for 22 points for the Hornets, who finished a 1-2 season-opening homestand with back-to-back losses. Mark Williams provided 18 points while P.J. Washington, who also grabbed 12 rebounds, and Gordon Hayward each supplied 15 points for Charlotte.

The Hornets had defensive issues last season and those resurfaced in big ways in this game. The Nets also left points on the floor by going only 23 of 32 on free throws. Thomas, though, was 12-for-14 from the line.

Thomas has scored 30 or more points in all three games this season.

Ben Simmons added 11 points and 10 rebounds and Day'Ron Sharpe had 11 points for the Nets.

Bridges shot 10-for-13 from the field.

Charlotte was within 10 points with about eight minutes remaining, but Thomas scored four points across a 41-second span to help the Nets pull away.

The Nets held a 99-83 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Nets had the offense rolling from the get-go, leading 42-23 after the first quarter as Bridges had nine points.

Charlotte closed within seven points in the second quarter before Brooklyn held a 66-55 halftime lead, boosted by 55.8-percent shooting from the field. Miller's 16 points kept the Hornets in range, though the No. 2 overall pick fouled Thomas on a 3-point attempt in the last minute of the half, with Thomas canning all three foul shots to help thwart some of Charlotte's momentum.

The Hornets finished 19-for-20 on free throws.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Brooklyn   Charlotte
Cam Thomas 33 Scoring Terry Rozier 23
Ben Simmons 8 Assists Terry Rozier 9
Ben Simmons 10 Rebounds P.J. Washington 12
Cam Thomas 12 Free Throws Made Brandon Miller 6
Mikal Bridges 1 Steals LaMelo Ball 2
Dorian Finney-Smith 2 Blocks Nick Richards 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Brooklyn 133 56.3 12-33 23-32 25 46 8 4 14
Charlotte 121 49.0 8-31 19-20 33 39 5 8 10
Upcoming Games
  • Charlotte will play their next game on the road against Houston. The Hornets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .500 after a loss.
  • Brooklyn will play their next game on the road against Miami. The Nets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .500 after a loss.