With their 112-103 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, the Nets moved to 1-7 on the season. Sarah Stier / Getty Images

The Brooklyn Nets’ record for season-starting infamy will remain in New Jersey, not Brooklyn.

With their 112-103 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, the Nets won their first game of the season, moving to 1-7. The 2009-10 Nets, then based in New Jersey, and the 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers hold the record for most losses to start a season, with 18.

The Nets notched their first win a night after the New Orleans Pelicans did the same with a win over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Nets won despite losing Cam Thomas to a hamstring injury two minutes into the game. Thomas came into Wednesday averaging 24.4 points, leading the team. However, Michael Porter Jr. took up the scoring load, finishing with 32 points. Nic Claxton added 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. The Nets were the more physical team, attempting 35 free throws to Indiana’s 13.

Thomas hurt his hamstring repeatedly last year, which limited him to 25 games. He signed his $6 million qualifying offer after he went unsigned as a restricted free agent.

The Pacers, who joined the Nets and Washington Wizards with the worst record in the conference, were playing without seven players. The NBA granted them a hardship exception, which the Pacers used to sign Cody Martin, who played eight minutes. In addition to playing without Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers were without starting guards Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard as well as T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, Johnny Furphy and Kam Jones.

The Pacers also finished without head coach Rick Carlisle, who picked up two technical fouls in the third quarter and was ejected.

Nov 6, 2025

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Eric Koreen is a senior writer covering the Raptors and the NBA. Previously, he has written for the National Post, Canadian Press, Sportsnet and Complex.