Brooklyn Nets Snap Fourth Quarter Slump to Beat Charlotte 114-104
The team converted a 25-5 collapse two nights prior into a 34-24 fourth-quarter surge, securing a win over the Hornets.
By Yuki Melnyk ·
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the visiting Charlotte Hornets 114-104 on Wednesday, reversing a trend of fourth-quarter collapses that had plagued the team earlier in the week. This victory marks a direct correction of the performance seen two nights prior at the same venue, where Brooklyn allowed a 25-5 run by Charlotte to undo their lead.
The sequence of events began with a loss to the Hornets at the start of the season. On Monday, the Nets played three strong quarters but faltered in the final period, shooting 3-of-16 from the field and committing seven turnovers. By Wednesday, the team had adjusted its approach to the final twelve minutes.
In the decisive final quarter on Wednesday, Brooklyn outscored Charlotte 34-24. The Nets shot 51.2 percent from the field and connected on 8 of 22 three-point attempts during that stretch. For the full game, the team shot 50.6 percent and went 14-for-37 from deep.
Michael Porter Jr. led the offensive effort with a team-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. He finished the game plus-17. Julius Randle contributed 22 points, while rookie Mikel Brown Jr. scored a career-high 18 points and recorded four assists off the bench. Day’Ron Sharpe added a career-high eight assists.
Head coach Jordi Fernández noted that the team worked on the specific issues that caused the Monday collapse. “Yeah, the seven quarters that we saw, from Indiana, four plus the three at the Garden. I think that that was who we want to be,” Fernández said. He added that the lack of organization and execution in the fourth quarter was fixable through practice and review.
The game was not without struggle. The Nets trailed by 10 points at the end of the first half after an extended 20-7 run by Charlotte. They also fell behind 78-72 with two minutes left in the third quarter. However, a 17-5 run spanning the third and fourth quarters flipped the deficit into a lead. Randle found Brown for a kick-out three-pointer that put Brooklyn ahead 89-83.
Porter emphasized the importance of the final period in the future. “Fourth quarter is winning time, for sure,” he said. He noted that the group must treat the fourth quarter as a distinct phase of the game requiring specific focus, particularly with the veteran players leading the charge.
