The Brooklyn Nets (1-7) had endured plenty of losing to begin the 2025-26 NBA season as the team tried to figure out what it had to do to be in position to win games. Brooklyn had their latest and best opportunity to win their first game of the season with a matchup on Wednesday at the Indiana Pacers (1-7) and the Nets finally played like they needed to for four quarters.

The Nets beat the severely short-handed Pacers 112-103 on Wednesday despite guard Cam Thomas leaving the game in the first quarter with what Brooklyn described as left hamstring tightness. With the Nets’ leading scorer out of action for the majority of the game, forward Michael Porter Jr. stepped up in a huge way by dropping 32 points and 11 rebounds as the primary offensive option.

There’s no secret that the Pacers were missing plenty of talent as eight players were listed as out for the contest, but four Indiana players gave it their best shot, including forward Pascal Siakam and his 23 points, six rebounds and nine assists. With that being said, here are the Nets player grades following Wednesday’s win over the Pacers, Brooklyn’s first victory of the campaign:

Terance Mann: B+

Mann had a great start to this game on the offensive end of the floor as he had his scoring touch working from every spot on the floor against a severely-shorthanded Pacers team. Mann, operating as the starting point guard with Tyrese Martin being sent back to the bench, was able to do his job on both ends of the floor as he is still asked to do more when the team requires it.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Cam Thomas: Incomplete

Thomas suffered left hamstring tightness in the first quarter and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game with the issue.

Michael Porter Jr.: A-

With Cam Thomas exiting this game in the first quarter, Porter had to step up more than he already does on the offensive end without having his running mate to draw attention off of him. Porter, who is still living on a diet of taking tough shots routinely, was efficient from every spot on the floor and provided Brooklyn with the consistent scoring that it needed to be competitive in this one.

Noah Clowney: B+

Clowney drew the start for the second straight game as head coach Jordi Fernandez seems to recognize that the best version of this team requires Clowney to be playing starters minutes. Clowney looked more like himself in this one as he was confident shooting the ball from behind the three-point arc, but he also showed his offseason work as he wasn’t afraid to attack the rim with authority.

Nic Claxton: A+

Claxton has been playing some of his strongest basketball this season over the past couple of games and he continued his strong play by stuffing the stat sheet once again. Claxton, who had an opportunity to have a big game with how beat up the Pacers were coming into this one, did his job near the rim and was also being the defender in the paint that Brooklyn needs him to be.

Jalen Wilson: C+

Wilson had a solid performance in this one as he did a good job of spacing the floor and looking for his shot without overextending himself, allowing the Nets’ offense to flow smoothly. Wilson had a moment in the first half where he was sent to the bench after getting beat on a backdoor cut, but outside of that, he buckled down and played within Brooklyn’s scheme on both ends of the floor.

Ziaire Williams: B-

Williams did not have much of an offensive impact in this one as he couldn’t find his scoring touch despite getting some open looks against a compromised Indiana defense that was missing plenty of talent. While Williams had a rough offensive game, he more than made up for that on the defensive end of the floor as he used his length and athleticism to bother the Pacers’ perimeter players all game long.

Day’Ron Sharpe: B

Sharpe has seen better days in terms of shooting the ball as he just couldn’t find a way to take advantage of being close to the rim with the length of the Pacers players that were available. Sharpe did a great job of rebounding and remaining active on the glass and he showed off some of his passing chops that he has been developing over the past couple of seasons.

Tyrese Martin: A

Martin saw more time in this one than he normally would have due to the injury of Cam Thomas and while Martin had a slow start to the game, he found his rhythm in the fourth quarter. Martin is not the most creative ball-handler or passer on the Nets, but he provides what Fernandez is looking for and that’s a guy who makes good decisions with the ball in his hands that can score when the time comes.

Egor Demin: B

Despite the fact that Thomas went down in the first quarter, Demin saw about the same amount of minutes that he normally would have received at this point in the season. Demin couldn’t find his rhythm on the offensive end in terms of his shooting, but he looked more confident with the ball in his hands and he made some nice plays on the defensive end of the floor thanks to him using his length and size to his advantage.