The Brooklyn Nets (1-5) had been saying all of the right things after they began the 2026-27 NBA season with an 0-5 following some winnable games that the Nets let slip away. Brooklyn had another tough situation to deal with a back-to-back against the Indiana Pacers (2-5) and New York Knicks, but the Nets finally took care of business against a vulnerable Pacers team.

"I really liked the energy of everybody on the team, on the bench, the guys on the floor. We took good shots and they were not falling and a lot of times, the anxiety hits," Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said after Sunday's 98-90 win over Indiana. With the Pacers missing key players in guard Tyrese Haliburton and center Ivica Zubac, Brooklyn had the best opportunity to win a game that they've had so far this season.

"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," Fernandez continued. "I know we ended up losing the fourth by one point, but I'd rather take a win like this that you have to grind all the way because that just makes you better."

Despite the fact that the Nets weren't able to separate in the first half from a Pacers team missing Haliburton and Zubac, Brooklyn was able to extend its lead to double-digits in the third quarter thanks to some of the stars stepping up. Forward Michael Porter Jr. had 23 points and nine rebounds while forward Julius Randle had 20 points and six assists.

It was a rough shooting game for both teams as the Nets shot just 41% from the field and 33% from three-point land, but they held the Pacers to 40% and 37%, respectively. Center Day'Ron Sharpe also had his best game of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds while only picking up two fouls so it seems like the Nets did what it needed to do to come away from Indiana with a victory.

Michael Porter Jr. Continues To Produce

Porter has had some performances where the team has needed more from him, but in this one, he was able to score at an efficient clip despite struggling with his three-point shot. Despite how much both teams struggled with their offensive output on Sunday, Porter still managed to put up 23 points and nine rebounds as he continues to be the primary source of scoring for such a young team.

Nolan Traore Looks More Comfortable

Sunday's game against the Pacers marked the third-straight game that Traore had been the starting point guard and it seems like he's ready to fulfill that role this time around. Fernandez has been experimenting with different lineups and combinations of players on the floor, but as of now, it seems like Traore should be the starting point guard moving forward with how well he's playing.

Day'Ron Sharpe Finally Has Breakout Performance

Sharpe was being placed in a tough position coming into this season as he would have to be a starting center for the first time in his career after backing up Nic Claxton. Sharpe has had his struggles along the way with staying out of foul trouble and being efficient, but after putting up 15 points and 13 rebounds against Indiana, it looks like he could be finding his groove sooner rather than later.