Deron Williams left the game after re-injuring his left ankle in the second quarter, and the turnover-prone Nets were handed their sixth loss in their past seven games by the Charlotte Bobcats.
Charlotte guard Kemba Walker scored a season-high 31 points, going 12 of 20 from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers in the 95-91 win, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Nets. Walker hit two free throws with 6.1 seconds left to seal the win.
The Bobcats outscored the Nets 52-34 in the paint.
With owner Michael Jordan sitting on the end of the bench, the Bobcats started the second half with a 15-1 run to take control of the game.
Andray Blatche led the Nets with a season-high 25 points while Joe Johnson chipped in with 19.
The Nets had 18 turnovers.
Williams' ankle turned awkwardly inward when he landed on Walker's foot after shooting a jump shot from the top of the key and he immediately fell to the floor and grabbed his ankle. It's the same ankle that forced Williams to sit out the previous two games.
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Williams had four points and two assists in 14 minutes at the time of the injury.
Charlotte continues to play good defense, holding its opponent to under 100 points for the ninth time in 12 games.
The Bobcats nearly surrendered a 10-point lead in the final three minutes as Ramon Sessions turned the ball over twice and Blatche made them pay with eight straight points — six of those off offensive rebounds — to cut the lead to 93-91.
The Nets fouled Walker with 6.1 seconds left and the third-year pro knocked down both shots to make it a two-possession game. Johnson clanked a desperation 3-point attempt off the glass and the Bobcats grabbed the rebound to secure the win.
Sessions and Gerald Henderson each had 13 points for the Bobcats. Jeff Adrian had 10 rebounds for Charlotte.
The Bobcats led 53-50 at halftime behind 58 percent shooting from the floor. Walker led the way with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting.
The Bobcats played again without center Al Jefferson, who continues to struggle with an ankle injury. Jefferson has played in only three of Charlotte's 12 games.
