Charlotte boosts NBA Play-In bid after crushing Brooklyn

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Charlotte Hornets increased their chances of salvaging a Play-In ticket after a lopsided 117-86 win over the Brooklyn Nets during their Eastern Conference clash in the ongoing NBA regular season on April 1, 2026.

Fresh off a disappointing loss to the Boston Celtics, the Hornets vented their ire on the struggling Nets and did not give them any room to breathe from start to finish.

Needing a win to inch closer in the Eastern Conference standings, the Hornets employed a methodical approach, picking the Nets apart with their two-way dominance that steered them to an early 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Brandon Miller went unconscious from the field, torching the whole Brooklyn squad with his efficient 3-point shooting and daredevil drives to the basket.

Backstopping Miller during Charlotte’s first-quarter mayhem were LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, as the 1-2 punch took over, with the small forward capping off the opener with 11 early points.

Ball navigated through traffic and directed Charlotte’s systematic plays, while Bridges became the recipient of countless lob passes that turned into thunderous dunks.

Things got out of hand for the Nets when the third quarter kicked off, as they were outscored, 31-18, and Charlotte’s lead ballooned to as much as 35 points.

With nothing going right for the cellar-dwelling team, head coach Jordi Fernandez decided to pull all of his starters with seven minutes still remaining in the game.

Miller bounced back from a dismal outing against the Celtics and erupted for 25 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field, alongside three assists, one rebound and one block.

Bridges came through with 19 markers, five boards and four steals, while Ball capped off the win with a near triple-double stat line of 14 points, nine dimes and seven rebounds.

On the other hand, the Nets had already accepted the fate of another postseason failure and fell to a win-loss record of 18-58.

The Hornets will look to sustain their momentum on April 3, 2026, against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns, while the Nets will aim for a win on April 4, 2026, against the Atlanta Hawks.