CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LaMelo Ball delivered a stellar performance, netting 31 points including 17 crucial points in the fourth quarter, while Brandon Miller matched his career record with seven 3-pointers for a total of 29 points. These efforts helped the Charlotte Hornets rally from a 13-point deficit to claim a 103-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Cody Martin contributed with 15 points, and Tre Mann added 14 points coming off the bench. With this win, the Hornets have now secured two consecutive victories, bringing their record to 4-5.
On the other side, Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 27 points, while Benedict Mathurin supported with 22 points. Indiana’s struggles were evident, especially in the second half, where they lost their defensive footing after initially allowing only 44 points in the first half.
The turning point for Charlotte came when Ball, who had been shooting poorly, left the game with about six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Miller took charge, making five 3-pointers and scoring 17 points, which propelled the Hornets on a remarkable 23-2 scoring run to end the quarter.
One notable highlight was when Miller appeared to lose control of the ball but managed to retrieve it just in time to make a shot that beat the shot clock, electrifying the home crowd.
Indiana faced challenges as they were without Aaron Nesmith due to an ankle injury, which contributed to their defensive collapse after halftime. Meanwhile, the Hornets were also coping with injuries; forward Miles Bridges did not play due to a bone bruise in his knee, and they were additionally missing centers Mark Williams and Nick Richards. Rookie Tidjane Salaun filled in for Bridges, making history as the second-youngest player to start for the franchise, following Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
A significant moment in the game came when Ball, who was struggling at 5 of 20 shooting before the final quarter, found his rhythm by going 5 of 9 from the field, including three successful 3-point attempts as the game progressed.
The key statistic for the Hornets was their shooting from beyond the arc, where they excelled by hitting 11 out of 24 attempts in the second half.
Looking ahead, the Pacers are set to face the New York Knicks at home on Sunday, while the Hornets will travel to Philadelphia for their next matchup that evening.