Nets F Porter Speaks on Team’s Improvements Through Seven Games

The Brooklyn Nets dropped their first five games of the 2026-2027 season before winning the last two of three.

The overall offensive improvements have been visible, with the forward pair of Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle continuing to learn how to play alongside one another.

Rookie point guard Mikel Brown Jr. has also come on as of late, posting his best professional performance against the Charlotte Hornets in Wednesday's win.

Following the victory, Porter talked about the improvements he has seen from the team.

"I think it's been forward progress in a lot of areas," Porter said.

As the Nets' reigning leading scorer, Porter is posting very similar numbers to last season, but has less usage and shot attempts.

But, he has turned it up on the defensive end, averaging a career-best 1.6 steals per game, and showing much more activity.

In a season where Porter is looking to earn a long-term deal, he will also have to deal with the lingering trade rumors surrounding he and Randle, who are reportedly being shopped.

In the offseason, Nets General Manager Sean Marks said he wanted to see Porter take strides as an all-around player, while helping the team win more games.

Thus far, his defensive intensity has ticked up, while remaining the Nets' most-dangerous and most-efficient scorer.

As the season unfolds, Porter is looking to earn the front office's trust by becoming a more well-rounded player, but he remains a player who could also be coveted by a contending team.

Against the New York Knicks on Monday, the former five-star high school recruit reached a new milestone, joining Luka Dončić, James Harden, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Lauri Markkanen as one of six players with over 7,000 points, 2,500 rebounds and 1,000 3-pointers made in their careers.

He talked about this game on Wednesday, comparing the Nets' blowout loss to their Big Apple foes last season to this one, where they were competitive until a rough fourth quarter.

The former Missouri product referred to the fourth quarter as a "different game" than the three prior quarters, saying that is is on him and the rest of Brooklyn's veterans to keep their composure down the stretch.

Entering the Nets' next matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, Porter will look to continue his 3-game streak of scoring 18 or more points.

Porter has done most of his damage from distance to start the season, making six 3-pointers against the Boston Celtics and five long balls against the Charlotte Hornets.

The Nets are back in action against Atlanta on Friday at 7:30 p.m.