The Hornets battled for three quarters against the Nets on the road on Friday before running out of gas in the final period to fall 130-115.
Behind big first halves from Vernon Carey Jr. in his first career start and Miles Bridges, the Hornets went shot for shot with the Nets through the first two quarters and were tied at 51-51 at the break.
Bridges helped Charlotte keep within reach in the third quarter as part of his career-high 33 points as they trailed by just five but Brooklyn blew it open in the fourth, winning the final period 36-26.
Terry Rozier finished with 27 points, Carey added 21 and Jalen McDaniels had 12.