The Brooklyn Nets (0-5) had another chance of earning their first win at home after a short road trip to Texas that did not inspire much confidence in the team. Brooklyn is going to be dealing with some tough challenges all season and Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks (2-3) were the latest team on the list for the Nets to have to step their game up against.

The Nets lost to the Hawks 117-112 on Wednesday in a game that was back-and-forth in the first half before the game became much closer in the second half. Forward Michael Porter Jr. led the way for Brooklyn with 32 points and nine rebounds while Cam Thomas had 19 points and three assists during a game that was a struggle for him in terms of his overall shooting.

Despite the fact that the Hawks lost Young in the first half due to a right knee sprain, Atlanta found a way to win this game thanks to the efforts of players like Jalen Johnson, who had 23 points and seven rebounds. Brooklyn played a much better game in this one than they did at any point prior to Wednesday so here are the Nets player grades following Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks:

Ben Saraf: D

Saraf’s involvement within the offense is seemingly as a passer as he still has to find his rhythm when it comes to looking for his shot and when to set up his teammates. Saraf made some of the little plays during his time on the floor, but it should still be noted that he struggled to protect the basketball and his lack of on-ball defense is leading to him getting into foul trouble as well.

Cam Thomas: C-

Thomas struggled mightily in this game to score the ball as he was consistently hounded by Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a tough assignment for any player looking to score the ball. Thomas did not have much luck getting foul calls so he had to settle for a bunch of pull-ups over players like Alexander-Walker and it did not work out in his favor at all.

Terance Mann: B

Mann was aggressive in looking for his shot in this one despite the fact that he didn’t erupt the way that he did in Monday’s loss at the Houston Rockets. Mann’s scoring opportunities either come off of broken offensive plays or when he gets a clear advantage on a defender either by being left open on the perimeter or on a cut. To Mann’s credit, he has been the hardest worker for the Nets thus far.

Michael Porter Jr.: A

Porter began this game like his hair was on fire as he took and made some of the toughest shots that a Nets fan has seen someone other than Cam Thomas take. Porter has proven time and again that almost every shot is in his bag and even when it looks contested, his height and length allows him to shoot over every defender that matches up against him that isn’t a center.

Nic Claxton: A+

Claxton did a great job of scoring at the rim despite having to go against Kristaps Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu for the majority of the game. Claxton not only brought the scoring aspect of his game to the table against Atlanta, but he also made sure to rebound the basketball and he did a solid job of contesting shots near the rim when he was in the area.

Jalen Wilson: C

With Ziaire Williams out for the second straight game with his lower back/glute contusion, Wilson once again had to step up as the small forward coming off the bench and he has had better days shooting the basketball. Wilson noticeably hasn’t been left as open as he was earlier in the season and as a result, he is making more of an effort to attack the rim to create scoring chances that way.

Noah Clowney: C+

Clowney saw some extended playing time in this one, but he once again struggled to get anything going shooting the ball from the perimeter as he continues to figure out his role within the offense. Clowney was aggressive with the ball in his hands and he generated some free-throws as a result while doing a good job of rebounding amongst the trees of the Hawks.

Day’Ron Sharpe: B-

Sharpe did not have one of those games where he scored a lot of points, but he did plenty of other things to make his impact on this game as the backup to Nic Claxton. Sharpe did a good job of rebounding the basketball and he also made some nice passes to his teammates, including some nice looks to Michael Porter Jr. on his way to a huge night scoring the ball.

Tyrese Martin: B+

As he has been doing all season, Martin has been one of the players that have steadied the tide when it seems like the game is getting out of hand. Martin did a good job of scoring the ball overall, but his ball security was valuable for a Brooklyn team that has to find a way to not turn the ball over if they’re going to win some games this season and Martin could be the player to answer that call.

Egor Demin: D

Demin returned to the lineup after missing Monday’s loss to the Rockets and it seems like his touch from three-point land is starting to dissipate. While Demin’s early shooting performances were encouraging for his long-term outlook, it is somewhat troubling that he hasn’t found a way to take a shot outside of the three-pointer to make his scoring opportunities easier.