The Brooklyn Nets showcased some fine form coming into their third regular season game against the Charlotte Hornets. They had steamrolled heavyweights like the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics, so a win against the Hornets was imminent.
To everyone’s surprise, the Hornets put on a great team performance to beat the Eastern Conference favorites, 106-104. Their marquee off-season signing, Gordon Hayward, put up a great all-round performance. In the 36 minutes he was on the court, he scored 28 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds.
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Apart from Hayward, PJ Washington and Terry Rozier performed exceptionally well. Washington had a double-double at the end of the game while Rozier was the second highest scorer with 19 points.
The Brooklyn Nets, on the other hand, would be disappointed with the loss considering their brilliant start to the season. Both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving still put up good numbers, but the deep bench could not replicate their form from the first two games. They also saw a crushing injury to Spencer Dinwiddie who is a crucial part of their team.
The Hornets looked much more solid against the Nets and will look to build on this exceptional victory.
Twitter Reacts to Nets’ shocking loss
Following the Hornets’ shocking win, Twitter users all across the world went crazy after witnessing an early season upset.
HORNETS WIN! 🗣️
HORNETS WIN! 🗣️
HORNETS WIN! 🗣️
HORNETS WIN! 🗣️
HORNETS WIN! 🗣️#AllFly | @NewAmsterdam pic.twitter.com/UrbD5gOghk— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 28, 2020
YOU JUST GOT BEAT BY THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS pic.twitter.com/PdqzvIeIdc
— Josh 🐝 (@LotteryHornets) December 28, 2020
NETS VS HORNETS PREGAME SHOW
Commentators: There’s no way Charlotte will lose by 50 points tonight. (laughing….)Me: (after the game) Yeah because Hornets won 🙄🙄🙄#BrooklynNets #Hornets #Clippers pic.twitter.com/JxWYvuttBN
— mykhel reyes (@mykhelreyes) December 28, 2020
What is going on in the NBA today? 🥴
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) December 28, 2020
We blow out the warriors on opening night
Then we blow out the celtics after that game
and then we face the CHARLOTTE HORNETS and lose……
nice.
— 𝙅𝙖𝙮 (2-1)👁🗨 (@nyc_jay24) December 28, 2020
At Charlotte, neither KD nor Kyrie could create a three to win, so KD drove to the baseline and tried a highly contested jumper to tie. Wouldn’t fall. Growing pains. They’ll figure it out.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 28, 2020
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 3-0 & the Charlotte Hornets beat the Brooklyn Nets pic.twitter.com/8d2rG04UIc
— 💛💜🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼Jolly Ole St Nick🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼💜💛 (@NicholasJLevi) December 28, 2020
The NBA is going to be so exciting this year!! Look at what happened tonight…the Hornets beat the Nets, the Knicks blew out the Bucks, and the Cavaliers blew out the Sixers.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 28, 2020
Can the Hornets cement themselves as a Playoff Contender?
The Charlotte Hornets made a bold statement when they brought in former Celtics star Gordon Hayward into the team. The team had drafted LaMelo Ball as their 2nd overall pick, and the addition of Hayward increased the team’s quality significantly.
The Hornets have had a rocky start with two consecutive losses, but this win against the Nets will be a big boost to their confidence. The team has shown massive improvements with their new-look roster.
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Hayward has instantly become the centerpiece of their offense while the guards, Terry Rozier and Devonté Graham, have shown that they can add points on the board. Ball is still developing but shows impeccable vision and passing ability. The forwards, PJ Washington and Bismack Biyombo, have shown much needed solidity in the defense.
If they continue to perform the same way they did against the Nets, they can surely be a playoff contender in the East.
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