GAMENOTES: Charlotte Hornets (8-30) vs. San Antonio Spurs (7-33) - January 19th, 2024

Jan 20, 2024

∙ Paid

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 124 (9-30) - San Antonio Spurs 120 (7-34)

LaMelo Ball put on a show for the fans at Spectrum and the San Antonio Spurs made just enough mistakes late to help the Hornets get a much needed win. Ball's reverse layup with :26 seconds remaining sealed the victory, part of his best shooting night since he returned (28 points on 10 of 13 shooting 4 of 6 from 3, 8 assists, 3 steals).
He was one of 4 starters to score over 20 and one of them wasn't Terry Rozier (17 points, 8 assists). Brandon Miller returned from injury and scored 24 points and had a career high 9 rebounds. His play early set a tone for the Hornets. PJ Washington got a start at center with Wembanyama out due to scheduled rest and scored 20 points on 63% shooting. Miles BRidges had 23 points on 67% shooting.
The Hornets as a team shot 56% from the field and 55% from 3. This should have resulted in a runaway win against a Spurs team devoid of talent and without their best player but instead 17 turnovers and bad bench defense allowed the Spurs to shoot 56% from the field and 47% from 3.
The Hornets injury list continues to morph as Nick Richards was declared out with an ankle injury. One wonders if he would have toughed it out had Wembanyama played.
Hornets finished the first 3 quarters with buzzer beaters. Two from LaMelo and one from Bridges. Not really a big story but pretty nutty and pretty fun for the fans at the Cable Box.

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