The Charlotte Hornets gave the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers hell on Friday, finishing two points shy of pulling one of the biggest upsets of the NBA season.
That meant the Nets, who entered Saturday’s matchup at Spectrum Center on a six-game losing streak, knew they’d be in for a war — even if star guard LaMelo Ball was sidelined because of a right ankle injury.
The Nets led 58-43 at halftime, were up 82-76 entering the fourth quarter, but couldn’t finish. Charlotte ended the game on a 22-5 run over the final 7:09 to end its nine-game losing streak and extend Brooklyn’s to seven.
The 105-102 loss ruined what was one of D’Angelo Russell’s best performances of the season. He played like a man possessed, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds and seven assists in 29 minutes.
When the Hornets cut it to four with 11:17 left, Russell responded with two and-ones and a transition 3 to keep them at arm’s length. The veteran guard scored the Nets’ first 15 points in the final frame, which pushed their lead to 14 with 7:09 left, but Charlotte refused to go away.
Cam Thomas got rejected by Miles Bridges on a potential game-winner. From there, the Hornets closed it out at the free throw line.
The Nets fell to 21-42 with the loss. Cam Johnson missed Saturday’s game because of left knee soreness.
Thomas was Brooklyn’s second-leading scorer, finishing with 16 points on 7-for-18 shooting. The Hornets shot 52.4% in the fourth quarter and forced six turnovers, which gave them an extra 12 points.
The Nets will return to action on Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center.
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