Hornets at Nets opener: Charlotte short-handed at Barclays
The Charlotte Hornets open the 2026-27 season in Brooklyn on Wednesday, October 21, with four rotation players out, including Kon Knueppel and Coby White. The Nets, who beat Charlotte 124-90 in the preseason, are missing only Tyler Bilodeau.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 19 h ago01The story of the nightStakes and formBoth teams start at 0-0, and this is the first game that counts for either.
Both teams start at 0-0, and this is the first game that counts for either. The preseason tilted toward Brooklyn. The Nets went 3-1, with wins over Charlotte, Philadelphia and Washington before a 128-144 loss in Miami. Charlotte went 1-3, beating Milwaukee 105-90 but losing to Brooklyn, Boston and Memphis. The 124-90 loss to the Nets on October 6 was the widest margin of the Hornets' preseason. Last season the series split 2-1 for Charlotte, including a 117-86 road win at Barclays on March 31. Neither team is on a back-to-back, so fatigue is not a factor on opening night.
02Who is in, who is outCharlotte's injury list is long for an opener.
Charlotte's injury list is long for an opener. Kon Knueppel (left hamstring), Grant Williams (right hamstring), Coby White (left calf) and Kylan Boswell (right knee) are all out. That removes two guards and a forward from the rotation before the first tip. Brooklyn lists only Tyler Bilodeau (shoulder) as out. The Nets' expected five, based on last season's minutes, is Julius Randle, Michael Porter Jr., Noah Clowney, Egor Demin and Terance Mann. Charlotte's likely group is Brandon Miller, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, Naz Reid and Moussa Diabate. Dennis Schroder and Liam McNeeley are on the Hornets roster and could see more minutes with White out.
03Matchup to watchRandle against Charlotte's frontcourt is the key.
Randle against Charlotte's frontcourt is the key. Randle led Brooklyn's expected five at 33.0 minutes last season, and Porter Jr. was close behind at 32.5. Charlotte answers with Naz Reid and Moussa Diabate inside, with Grant Williams unavailable. On the wing, Brandon Miller carries the Hornets' scoring load with Knueppel and White sidelined, and Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale need to provide spacing. For Brooklyn, Egor Demin's role in the backcourt alongside Terance Mann is worth watching. The Nets scored 124 against this Charlotte group in October. The Hornets held them to 86 in the last regular-season meeting. Which version shows up decides this one.
04How to watchTipoff is 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, October 21, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Tipoff is 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday, October 21, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. There is no national TV broadcast. In the New York market, the game is on YES Network and streams on DAZN through the YES feed. In the Charlotte market, it airs on WSOC 9 and streams on DAZN-CHA. Fans outside those markets will need an out-of-market package. Officials have not been announced. This is the regular-season opener for both clubs, so expect full rotations from the available players on both sides.