The Charlotte Hornets staged a remarkable comeback against the Washington Wizards, with eight players scoring in double figures and the team recording a notable 35 assists. The win highlighted a solid display of teamwork and resilience as the Hornets overcame a sluggish start.
Initially, the Hornets struggled to find their rhythm, missing several three-pointers and failing to execute well on interior shots. The Wizards capitalized on this lack of offensive momentum, taking an early lead. However, the tide began to turn in the second quarter as the Hornets started hitting their shots. Despite their efforts, they went into halftime trailing the Wizards.
The second half saw a renewed focus from Charlotte. Brandon Miller kicked off the scoring by tying the game with a three-pointer on the first possession. This was quickly followed by contributions from Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball as both teams exchanged baskets. As the game progressed, the Hornets managed to edge ahead by two points heading into the fourth quarter.
The final period marked a decisive turning point. The Hornets’ defense stiffened, allowing them to create opportunities on offense, with LaMelo Ball leading the charge. Miller and Knueppel showcased their shooting skills, contributing multiple three-pointers, which helped the Hornets pull away decisively. A standout moment came when LaMelo delivered a stunning lob pass to Miles Bridges for a dunk, effectively sealing the victory and prompting the Wizards to call a timeout.
Despite the rocky start, the Hornets regrouped and demonstrated unselfish play by facilitating ball movement, leading to high-quality shots as evidenced by their impressive assist tally. The performance was particularly notable for Miller, who scored 20 points or more in four of the last five games, showing a significant uptick in efficiency.
LaMelo Ball also showcased his playmaking skills, controlling the game with finesse although he finished with just nine assists. Moussa Diabate, filling in for the injured Ryan Kalkbrenner and Mason Plumlee, had a standout game, achieving a career-high 18 rebounds along with a perfect shooting night for a double-double.
Despite the positive outcome, the Hornets’ slow start against a weaker team raised concerns. Moving forward, there is an opportunity for improvement, as they work to avoid falling behind early in future games.
As the holiday season approaches, fans can look forward to more NBA action. The Hornets will be back on the court on Friday, facing the Orlando Magic.