The Brooklyn Nets earned their first victory of the season on Sunday, defeating the Indiana Pacers 98-90 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The win came exactly one week after the Nets suffered a significant 136-109 loss to the same Pacers team at Barclays Center.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 23 points and nine rebounds. Julius Randle contributed 20 points and six assists, while center Day'Ron Sharpe recorded his 20th career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Nets struggled offensively, shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 13-for-39 from three-point range, but their defense was sufficient against a Pacers team hampered by injuries.
Indiana was without star Tyrese Haliburton, starting center Ivica Zubac, and backup point guard T.J. McConnell. This was a crucial win for the Nets, who entered the game winless and seeking to rebound from a recent loss to the Detroit Pistons.
"Obviously, [we need] a lot of improvement," Nets head coach Jordi Fernández had stated before the game. "The first time we played this team, we had an overall bad game. I think we started and we fought in that first quarter, but then we couldn’t sustain anything, very similar to the last game against Detroit."
Nets forward Julius Randle (30) shoots over Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith (23).
The Nets started the game strong, leading 18-12 in the first quarter and holding a 43-40 advantage at halftime. They extended their lead early in the third quarter, going on a nine-unanswered-point run to build a 52-40 cushion. The run was ignited by a four-point play from Porter Jr. off an assist from Randle, followed by a three-pointer and a midrange jumper from Nolan Traore, who finished with 16 points and six assists.
Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) dunks against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Despite Indiana's attempts to close the gap, including a three-pointer by Andrew Nembhard that made it 75-72 in the fourth quarter, the Nets maintained control. Fernández acknowledged the team's offensive struggles, noting issues with transitioning into their offense. "Our inability to run — and it’s just because we’re not trying to do it," he said. "We have too many guys trying to inbound the ball, too many guys trying to get the outlet, instead of getting to your spots early."
Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Fernández added that despite the lack of practice time due to a demanding schedule, the team is working on identifying and improving their weaknesses through film study and walkthroughs.