Michael Porter Jr. has made his name and his money on offense, but the Nets have challenged him to improve on the other end.

Wednesday’s debut in a Nets uniform wasn’t a great example.

Porter had 12 points in a loss, not only shooting just 5 of 15 and 2 of 7 from deep, but struggling on the glass and on the defensive end in the Nets’ 136-117 loss to the Hornets .

“I just didn’t feel like I was as fresh as I needed to be. I feel like a lot of the guys were probably a little bit more sluggish, a second too slow,” said Porter.

The forward had just four boards and his minus-19 was tied for a game worst.

Michael Porter Jr. shoots a floater during the Nets’ 136-117 blowout road loss to the Hornets on Oct. 22, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images

He was tied with Cam Thomas, who also had a rough

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