GAMENOTES: Regular Season Game #69 Charlotte Hornets (17-51) vs. New York Knicks (43-25) - March 20th, 2025

"There is a way to be good again." Khaled Hosseini, "The Kite Runner"

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 115 (18-51) - New York Knicks 98 (43-26)

THE BOXSCORE

WHY DID THEY WIN? (AND OTHER IMPORTANT STORIES)

• I don’t know! I thought the Knicks, after getting embarrassed by the Spurs, would come into this game much more focused but the Hornets began the game with more intensity up and down the roster for all 4 quarters. Guys were fighting for contested rebounds. Miles Bridges was blocking out KAT. Bridges and NSJ picked up charges. Everyone was doing all of the little things and hitting all of the big shots necessary to win this game. It was refreshing to see. It was like a portal into an alternate universe where the Hornets wanted to do the things it takes to win consistently in the NBA. Late in this god-forsaken season, the Hornets are hitting the back of the flashlight, flickering just enough light down at our feet to lead us down the hallway and into bed…to sleep…to wake next season to new promises.

• This was a balanced offensive effort. 5 scorers with 10+, only one crossed 20 (LaMelo) and that didn’t happen until he put the Knicks to bed in the 4th. Mark Williams and Miles Bridges had double digit rebound games. 5 Hornets had 3+ assists led by LaMelo Ball who finished with 8.

• Defensively the Hornets held the Knicks to 98 points on the night and a 104.3 OFF RTG (93 in the 1st half!). New York came in as the 5th best offense in the league with a 117 OFF RTG. Charlotte had a game plan to run KAT off the line. They put Mark Williams on OG and just let him shoot. And against all odds it worked. KAT gave up his 3 and tried to drive. The Hornets were physical with him and frustrated him. OG missed a TON of shots early as did a lot of the Knicks. They shot 4 of 21 from 3 in the 1st half.

  • They did finally remember how to shoot in the 4th. Shoutout to the Hornets for going shot for shot with them and not letting their lead totally collapse.

  • This was an uncharacteristically disciplined game defensively. Despite a little foul trouble for LaMelo and Green they didn’t commit the slap fouls that run up FTAs. It helped that the Hornets limited their own turnovers to 12 so they weren’t constantly having to recover on the other end. The made it a game of shotmaking and won…somehow!

• LaMelo was a true floor general in this one. He got others involved early, took good looks when he was open, drove the basketball, paced the offense well, didn’t rush things, worked Mark, Moussa and Miles into the paint for good looks and turned on the 3 magic when it counted. This was vintage LaMelo Ball and if he can get back to this consistently he’ll make all of the trade talk around him seem silly.

  • LaMelo had some silly foul trouble in this one but after he picked up his 4th he got disciplined and kept him self in the game for the clutch moments

• Mark Williams was active all night on the boards and had 3 blocks. He has lots of technique issues with his defense and his post ISO scoring but if he just plays his bleep off it leaks into every player and every part of the game.

• Moussa Diabate returned to the lineup and played the 4. He attempted a 3 for the second straight game. The Hornets are obviously trying to evaluate him and what he can do at his natural position.

NEWS AND NOTES

• This game took place on the 1st night of the NCAA tourney so only the sickest of sickos watched this from tip to horn.

• Moussa Diabate is AVAILABLE. He had to be helped off the floor after a right knee injury on Tuesday. Walrus gristle.

THINGS I THINK I SAW