Hornets Rout Nets 117-86 Behind Miller's 25 Points

Charlotte snaps two-game skid, moves into tie for 9th in East

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:23am

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Brandon Miller scored 25 points and Miles Bridges added 19 as the Charlotte Hornets routed the Brooklyn Nets 117-86 on Tuesday night. The Hornets jumped out to a 35-18 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, matching their season-low for points allowed. Charlotte's balanced attack included 28 assists on 41 made field goals and a 56-41 rebounding advantage over the lottery-bound Nets.

Why it matters

The win helps the Hornets (40-36) move into a tie for 9th place in the Eastern Conference standings, a half-game behind the Orlando Magic for the final play-in tournament spot. Charlotte is looking to return to the postseason after missing out last year, while the Nets (18-58) are firmly in rebuilding mode.

The details

The Hornets set the tone early, shooting 54.5% from the field and 40% from 3-point range in the first quarter to build a 17-point lead. Brooklyn cut the deficit to 8 in the second quarter, but Charlotte pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Nets 70-47 the rest of the way. Rookie Josh Minott led the Nets with 14 points.

  • The Hornets hosted the Nets on Tuesday, April 1, 2026.

The players

Brandon Miller

A second-year guard for the Charlotte Hornets who scored a game-high 25 points in the win.

Miles Bridges

The Hornets' starting forward who contributed 19 points in the victory.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard had 14 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds.

Josh Minott

A rookie forward for the Brooklyn Nets who led his team with 14 points.

Moussa Diabaté

The Hornets' center recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really set the tone early. That's the kind of effort we need to keep fighting for a playoff spot.”

— Brandon Miller, Hornets Guard

What’s next

The Hornets will host the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, while the Nets will welcome the Atlanta Hawks on Friday as both teams continue their late-season pushes.

The takeaway

The Hornets' decisive win over the struggling Nets keeps them in the hunt for a play-in tournament berth, showcasing their balanced scoring attack and defensive intensity. Meanwhile, the Nets' rebuilding season continues as they look to the offseason to retool their roster.