HOUSTON — LaMelo Ball marked his return from an ankle injury with a standout performance, scoring 34 points and dishing out 11 assists, helping the Charlotte Hornets to a 110-105 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday evening.

Grant Williams clinched the win for Charlotte with a crucial 3-pointer, giving them a lead with just 40 seconds remaining in the game. Jalen Green of the Rockets briefly tied the game with five rapid points, but Williams’ step-back three pointer pushed the Hornets ahead at 106-103. Ball then contributed two free throws to seal the outcome.

Green was the leading scorer for Houston, posting 28 points, while Alperen Sengun made a significant impact with 25 points and 18 rebounds in his return after being sidelined for 19 games last season due to a severe ankle sprain.

Notable Observations

The Hornets have been burdened with injuries in recent years, and that trend continued in this season opener as promising young player Brandon Miller experienced soreness in his left hip and sat out the second half. For Charlotte to have any shot at making the playoffs—having last qualified eight years ago—they need to maintain the health of key players such as Ball, Miller, and Miles Bridges.

The Rockets must enhance their consistency throughout games. They held a double-digit lead for the majority of the first three quarters but allowed the Hornets to stage a comeback in the closing moments.

Critical Moment

Charlotte executed a 10-0 run from late in the third quarter into the fourth, enabling them to close the gap and position themselves for victory after trailing for much of the game.

Crucial Statistics

The shooting statistics varied significantly, with the Rockets hitting just 36.9% of their shots compared to the Hornets’ more impressive 44.7%.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, the Rockets will host the Grizzlies this Friday night, while the Hornets are set to travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks.