Hornets' Offseason Acquisitions Play Key Role in Opening Night Win

The Charlotte Hornets started off the 2026-27 season with a 110-103 win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Hornets were active in the offseason, retooling their roster around Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel by adding a mix of young talent and veterans.

Some of their new acquisitions played a major role in their opening night win over the Nets. Naz Reid, the centerpiece of the return from the LaMelo Ball trade, had a great performance, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, shooting 8-for-19 from the field and 4-for-10 from three.

Reid was a sixth man with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but proved he could be a valuable starter in his first game in Charlotte. 

Veteran guard Dennis Schroder got the start in his Hornets debut, as Coby White was out with a left calf strain. Schroder played 35 minutes, finishing with 19 points, four rebounds, and six assists while shooting 7-for-13 from the floor.

That wasn't all for the new acquisitions, as Grayson Allen provided a spark off the bench, averaging 21 points, three rebounds, and four assists, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 5-for-8 from behind the arc. Allen's shooting was pivotal for the Hornets, and he could be a great fit for Charles Lee's system.

Royce O'Neale was also solid off the bench, with eight points, four rebounds, a steal, and a block, shooting 3-for-6 from the floor and 2-for-5 from distance.

The Hornets were without Knueppel, one of their best players, but still came away with a win. Knueppel finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in the 2025-26 season, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from downtown.

When Knueppel returns to the lineup, Charlotte's offense could reach the next level. Miller was the leader for the Hornets in shot attempts, as he had 18 points, shooting 7-for-21 from the floor and 3-for-14 from three. It wasn't an efficient game from Miller, but he should have a great 2026-27 season after signing a five-year, $209 million extension with the franchise.

Starting center Moussa Diabate stood out for Charlotte, as he had 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and five steals while shooting 7-for-11 from the field.

It's a strong start to the season for the Hornets, as they look to make it into the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.