The Nets opened the 2025–26 season with a 136-117 loss to the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center, struggling defensively from start to finish. It was a discouraging showing on that end of the floor, especially with the team nearly at full strength, missing only Danny Wolf (left ankle) and Haywood Highsmith (right knee surgery).

It didn’t take long for those defensive lapses to show. From the opening tip, Charlotte dictated the pace and Brooklyn found itself chasing the game almost immediately.

Rookie Ben Saraf earned the start at point guard on opening night, becoming the second-youngest player in Nets history to start a game at 19 years and 191 days old, behind only Derrick Favors. He was joined by Cam Thomas, Terance Mann, Michael Porter Jr. and Nic Claxton in Brooklyn’s opening

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