Nets player grades: Michael Porter Jr. drops 35 in win vs. Hornets

The Brooklyn Nets (4-16) had a disappointing start to their season coming out of the Thanksgiving break as they had two blowout losses to make up for. Brooklyn once again had another chance of winning their first home game of the 2025-26 NBA season against the visiting Charlotte Hornets (6-15) and the Nets finally made good on the opportunity.

The Nets beat the Hornets 116-103 as they made sure to make plenty of plays on the defensive end on their way to a much-needed victory for the morale of the team. Forward Michael Porter Jr. returned after missing two games to low back tightness and he put up 35 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while forward Noah Clowney had 18 points and four assists.

Rookie Kon Knueppel led the way for the Hornets with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists while Collin Sexton had 15 points and six rebounds off the bench. Brooklyn not only ended their four-game losing streak, but they also won their first home game of the season so with that being said, here are the Nets player grades following Monday's win over the Hornets:

Egor Demin: B-

Demin was solid on the offensive end of the floor as he did a good job of varying his offensive game instead of just settling for three-point shots like he did earlier in the season. Demin did a good job of taking care of the basketball when he had it in his hands, but it's clear that the Nets are deploying him as more of an off-guard as opposed to being the point guard within the offense.

Tyrese Martin: C

Martin drew the start in this one with Terance Mann being ruled out with rib soreness and he played solid basketball on both ends of the floor without having any spectacular plays. Martin has always been able to produce when he has been on the court, but this game was one of the quieter ones that he will have this season as players like Michael Porter Jr. did the majority of the scoring.

Michael Porter Jr.: A

Porter returned to Brooklyn's rotation after missing the past two games with low back tightness, but he came back onto the court like he had never missed any time due to injury. Porter has been the offensive engine for the Nets, especially with Cam Thomas out of the lineup due to a left hamstring strain and the former Missouri Tiger showed why he was looking to provide more than what he did in his role with the Denver Nuggets.

Noah Clowney: B+

Clowney had an efficient offensive game as he didn't necessarily launch a bunch of shots from three-point land, but he took the shots that the Hornets were giving him and making something out of those opportunities. Clowney lost some of his poise in the first half after being called for fouls on consecutive possessions that is sure to be frustrating for any player.

Nic Claxton: A

Claxton played this game like he was looking forward to facing Ryan Kalkbrenner as he pulled out all of the moves to go against Kalkbrenner, especially driving to the rim. Claxton has certain matchups that he likes and normally, that is against prototypical centers that aren't able to keep up with him on the perimeter and like he does in his pregame workouts, Claxton is more than prepared to attack those centers off the dribble.

Ziaire Williams: B-

Williams went back to the bench once players like Michael Porter Jr. and Egor Demin were available to play, but it looks like Williams got the message from head coach Jordi Fernandez as he continues to play with energy. Williams did not shoot the ball particularly well, but he got into the mix in rebounding situations and he played the kind of solid perimeter defense that he has been known for up to this point in his career.

Danny Wolf: B

With more players available for the Nets in this game, Wolf did not see as much action as he did against the Bucks, but he still showed his potential on both ends of the floor. Wolf didn't shoot the ball well, but his ability to handle the basketball as a near seven-footer while providing the rebounding presence that Brooklyn needs out of its bigs could be his way to remaining in the rotation as the season progresses.

Day'Ron Sharpe: B

Sharpe wasn't able to make his customary three-pointer from the corner, but he did virtually everything else that he is normally asked to do such as being efficient around the basket. Sharpe doesn't see the ball a ton within Brooklyn's offensive structure, but he did a great job of sticking with it on the boards and he made some sweet passes from the top of the key as well.

Drake Powell: B+

Powell showed his offensive potential when he decides to be aggressive with the ball in his hands and if he can shoot the three-pointer like he did in this one, he will be well on his way to being an offensive contributor. Even if Powell still has some offensive struggles as the season goes on, his presence on the defensive end is already at the level of being a plus defender in almost every situation.

Ben Saraf: C+

Saraf did not make much from behind the three-point line and while that result is disappointing, his willingness to continue shooting the three-pointer has to be encouraging for his development. Saraf may never be a good three-pointer shooter at the NBA level, but if he is going to show the other parts of his game like his passing, he has to be willing to take some chances on the offensive end.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades: Michael Porter Jr. drops 35 in win vs. Hornets