GAMENOTES: Regular Season Game #19 Charlotte Hornets (4-14) vs. Chicago Bulls (9-8) - November 28th, 2025

The Hornets show they haven't quit on the season...yet.

Editor’s Note: Give a warm welcome to Nic Thomas. You can find his NBA Substack here: NicThomasNBA.substack.com. Follow him there, and on Twitter @NicThomasNBA. The following is a notebook full of random thoughts and game observations. Please excuse any typos, errors or extraneous references to the Bobcats and report them in the comments. Thank you. –db

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets (5-14) 123 - Chicago Bulls 116 (9-9)

THE BOXSCORE

WHY DID THEY WIN? (AND OTHER IMPORTANT STORIES)

• Brandon Miller had his best game of the year, putting in 27 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and sending back three shots. He had a number of momentum swinging runs, in particular his string of threes in the third quarter, which won the Hornets the game.

  • The 3 block plays were good…but…his defense for most of this game was subpar if I’m being kind. I think he’s focused on getting his groove back offensively but they need him to be locked in on both ends if they want to go anywhere as a team. —db

• Collin Sexton was huge tonight, scoring 21 points, grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 3 assists in just 25 minutes. He got to the line three times, and his ability to attack the rim and put pressure on a Bulls defense that lacks a rim protector was crucial tonight for Charlotte.

• Miles Bridges has 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, and was all-around solid. He was definitely a positive for Charlotte tonight, but it’s integral he works on his shot selection. He relies too heavily on his face-up game, which isn’t up to par.

  • 14 points in a decisive 4th quarter. –db

• Coby White and Josh Giddey were the only thing keeping Chicago in this game, with limited contributions from the rest of the squad. They combined for 50 points, and Giddey grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 9 assists.

• Unlike their last loss, The Charlotte Hornets actually gave one single damn. They showed fight throughout, played more physically, fought off the 3rd quarter demons and forced 2nd and 3rd chance opportunities during critical moments late in the game. The defense was ugly during large portions of this game but they got stops when it mattered which is what you have to do to end a 7 game losing streak. After the drubbing to New York it was fair to wonder if we were seeing a team quitting on each other. After this win, Hornets DNA lives to fight another day. –db

• The Bulls wanted to play this game almost exclusively at the rim and the Hornets had enough back line help and awareness to slow down their attack in the half court. They got drilled in transition though. The Hornets get the win but they continue to lose the battle of the break. It’s part-back breaking turnovers, part not getting back and part their own ineffectiveness in scoring on the break. --db

NEWS AND NOTES

• Kon Knueppel got a haircut. That’s it. That’s the note.

  • Also a fresh shaven Knueppel –db

• The Bulls have had multiple days of rest in the lead up to this one.

• The first five for Charlotte: LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Ryan Kalkbrenner.

• Starting tonight for the Bulls: Josh Giddey, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, and Matas Buzelis.

• Pat Connaughton (R Calf), Grant Williams (R Knee) and Josh Green (L Shoulder) are out tonight for the Hornets.

• Dalen Terry (Calf), Isaac Okoro (Back), Trentyn Flowers (Illness), and Zach Collins (Wrist) are out for the Bulls.

• Tonight is an NBA cup game. The Hornets are already eliminated from competition.

THINGS I THINK I SAW