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Basketball Aggregated: Yahoo Sports NBA
9 min read • 2 Nov 2026

Nets get first win of season with strong defensive effort, beating Pacers, 98-90

By: Top Tipper
Nets get first win of season with strong defensive effort, beating Pacers, 98-90
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 1: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets moves the ball against the Indiana Pacers on November 1, 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers both played in their ABA-inspired uniforms tonight. Their offensive performances looked like they were straight out of the 60s and 70s, but so was Brooklyn’s defense, and it got them their first win of the season.

So, if you ask us, old is gold.

The Nets were led by their two high-scoring vets, Michael Porter Jr. (23) and Julius Randle (20) as well two of the team’s younger set, Day’Ron Sharpe who finished with his first double double of the season (15 and 13) and the fast-developing Nolan Traore (16 points, four 3-pointers and six assists.)

Chaney Johnson started beside Nolan Traoré at the top of the key for a second straight game this evening, but the rotation was more fluid than what we’ve seen so far this year. The Nets went nine men deep in the first period. Terance Mann, who has only gotten burn during garbage time so far this year, even logged some first quarter minutes as the backup point guard with Mikel Brown Jr. sitting.

But with both teams looking to run early, and this being the first of a back-to-back for Brooklyn, those extra bodies were needed. There weren’t a lot of statistical fast break points, but both teams moved up the floor with a sense of urgency off misses in the first. Michael Porter Jr., who had a quiet night vs Detroit, was aggressive there and in the halfcourt, pitching in seven points while shooting 2-5 from deep in the opening frame. He ended up as our leading scorer by the end of the game with 23 points on 7-16 shooting from the field and 3-10 from deep. He also pulled down nine rebounds and dished three assists.

But outside of what MPJ provided early on, makes from beyond the arc came at a premium. When Indiana smoked Brooklyn last week, the triple was their primary weapon, as they shot 23-41 from downtown. But today, the Nets kept the safety on, limiting the Pacers to a 2-15 start from deep.

Nobody shot well from the other parts of the floor early either. In the first half, Brooklyn posted .385/.250 splits while Indiana put up .324/.200 marks. Both teams also combined to miss 10 free throws between the first two periods.

“We took good shots and they were not falling,” Fernández said. “A lot of times, the anxiety hits, but the team stayed together and won the first quarter, stayed together and won the second quarter, stayed together and won the third quarter, and I think that’s what matters the most.”

Indeed, even as eager participants in the rock fight, the Nets led after one. Despite their 0-5 record going into tonight, they’ve now won the first quarter in four straight games, and are 4-2 in the period on the season. They maintained that advantage heading into the break too, up by a 43-40 score. Porter Jr led the team offensively at that point with 13 points on 5-10 shooting, followed by Mo Wagner, who added 10 after a perfect 4-4 start.

“Just taking what the game gives me,” Wagner said at halftime. “I think we’re playing really hard. We really need one.”

Get one, they did. After another string of misses, Porter Jr. began the scoring for both teams in the second half with a four point play…

Then, Traoré hit his first triple of the game off a back-tapped offensive board from Day’Ron Sharpe. That gave Brooklyn their first double digit lead of the ball game. Day’Ron finished tonight with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Fernández called his effort tonight “unbelievable” postgame.

“I mean, he he was big on the boards,” Fernández said. “He did a little bit of everything. He made his three. He set screens. Very happy for him. We don’t win this game without him, and the reality is how much he cares about winning and impacting winning. And this game, 5-7, 13 rebounds, four assists, two turnovers? I think that line is impressive. So, all his energy and willingness to do the right things, it paid off.”

“Day’Ron’s a beast, for real,” Traoré added. “Like, he’s so strong, and when he’s playing like that he’s unstoppable. Me and him in the pick-and-roll is a really great thing for us, and if I keep finding him like that, he’s gonna be great like that every time.”

However, that make from MPJ seemed to open the floodgates for everyone. Sharpe buried his own three from the corner a few minutes later. He’s now shooting 3-7 from deep on the season. But the Pacers also nailed three triples in the third after making just four in the entire first half. That kept Indiana in striking distance, and with Porter Jr. picking up his fourth foul with 4:39 to go, Brooklyn’s lead, which already felt like something out of a dream, looked at risk of fading. It might’ve too if not for Traoré and Randle, who continued to hit shots with MPJ on the bench.

But while the Nets went into the fourth up nine, the Pacers wouldn’t go away. Triples from Andrew Nembhard and Larry Nance Jr. made it a three point game with 9:29 to go.

And, Randle and Traoré stiff armed Indiana again, closing out the game in the process as well.

After two made triples from Quenton Johnson, Julius Randle swung back with an isolation three from the top of the key before driving and assisting on two for Traoré during back-to-back possessions. That reestablished a 10-point lead for Brooklyn with about two and a half to play.

Traoré finished with 16 points and six assists while shooting 6-14 from the field and 4-8 from deep with just one turnover. Randle added 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds while shooting 5-of-15 from the field and 4-of-9 from deep. He was also a +17 for the game. Over the past four games, the 6’4” 20-year-old is averaging 14.3 points on 46/39/72 splits along with four assists and a steal in 26 minutes a game.

“Great spacing,” Traoré said. “I know they want to double Julius, so we take advantage of this and make shots. I’m happy and proud of my teammates.”

“I thought Nolan had great moments, especially in that second half,” Fernández added. “You know, he shot the three well, but those were very good threes. I think that all of them are like Julius spraying the ball, and I think that’s huge.”

They didn’t have the strongest competition with Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, Ivica Zubac and T.J. McConnell out, but the Nets defense was stout all night, and it stayed that way down the stretch. After those makes from Traoré, the Nets forced Indiana to miss four of their next five shots. It was tough, disciplined, and a crafty effort, as Noah Clowney sold an offensive “push off” foul on Nembhard to get a final stop 52 seconds to go.

Already up seven, that gave the Nets a technical free throw, as Nembhard got hit with a technical with after arguing against the call, and eventually, their first win of the season.

Final: Brooklyn Nets 98, Indiana Pacers 90

Milestone Watch
  • With 15 points and 13 rebounds in tonight’s win vs. Indiana, Day’Ron Sharpe recorded his fourth career game with 13+ PTS and 13+ REB, two of which have now come against the Pacers (16 PTS, 13 REB on 1/5/25 at home). It was also his 20th career double double, and his first since February 26th of last year.
Next Up

For the first time this season, the Nets will play the defending champs on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. New York’s title defense hasn’t gotten off to a great start with the team 2-4. The Nets have their unprotected first rounder this year, so a win here helps increase the value there. Also, it’s just good to win against the Knicks. The Nets haven’t done that since January 2023, a rivalry record of 14 straight.

“We need to get a win,” Traoré said of the matchup. “I think it’s been a long time since we’ve won against the Knicks, so we got to do it.”

This one tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST.

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