NEW YORK — Nic Claxton contributed 16 points, helping the Brooklyn Nets secure a victory against the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 97-89 on Monday night. The game took a turn when LaMelo Ball sustained another ankle injury, allowing the Nets to pull ahead.
Cam Johnson and Day’Ron Sharpe also made significant contributions, each scoring 14 points as the Nets continued their strong performance under coach Jordi Fernandez, clinching their fifth win in six games. This matchup marked their second comfortable win against the Hornets within this successful stretch.
On the Hornets’ side, Moussa Diabate shone with a career-best 21 points along with 10 rebounds before he exited the game due to a right eye abrasion. Tidjane Salaun added 16 points for the team.
Ball was on the court for the first 10 minutes before the Hornets announced at halftime that he would not return due to soreness in his right ankle. This setback came shortly after he had just recovered from a five-game hiatus due to a sprained left ankle.
Key takeaways from the game show that Charlotte has struggled significantly without Ball, holding a record of 1-16 in games he has missed this season. The situation worsened for the Hornets after losing him while they were down by three points.
For the Nets, the upcoming All-Star break seems promising, as they have found their rhythm, winning consecutive home games for the first time this season, which bodes well for their momentum.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred early in the second quarter. After trailing by two points, the Nets exploded with a 9-0 run, establishing a 47-36 lead, a margin from which the Hornets could not recover. Throughout the second half, Brooklyn maintained a comfortable lead, often ahead by double digits.
An interesting statistic from the match showed that, despite missing nearly the entire second half, Ball still tied for the team lead in three-pointers made until Salaun hit his second with 5:34 left in the game. The Hornets struggled with their shooting, finishing the night with a dismal 6 for 31 from beyond the arc, accounting for just 19%.
Looking ahead, the Nets are set to take on Philadelphia on Wednesday, marking their final game before the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Hornets will travel to Orlando for their next matchup on the same day.
