CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets put an end to their lengthy 10-game losing streak with a victory over the Phoenix Suns, winning 115-104 on Tuesday night. LaMelo Ball was a standout performer for the Hornets, scoring 32 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Miles Bridges contributed 21 points. Off the bench, Nick Richards also made an impact, tallying 15 points and 12 rebounds, helping the Hornets improve their record to 8-27.
On the other side, Devin Booker shone for the Suns with a remarkable 39-point performance, along with 10 assists, while Kevin Durant added 26 points. Unfortunately for Phoenix, this loss marked their fifth in the last six games, pushing their record to 16-19.
The Hornets surged ahead in the second quarter, outscoring the Suns 37-17 and entering halftime with a 13-point lead. Notably, LaMelo Ball, who had a quiet first quarter, exploded in the second half with 29 points, hitting 8 out of 15 shots, including four 3-pointers. Charlotte also dominated the rebounding battle, finishing with an impressive 59 boards compared to Phoenix’s 42.
Takeaways from the game show that while the Suns started strong, they struggled to maintain their momentum, especially playing on the second night of a back-to-back. They became heavily reliant on the efforts of Durant and Booker, with Bradley Beal managing only 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting, and notably missing an open layup at the end of the first quarter.
For the Hornets, this game was significant as it marked just their third occasion this season where all five starters played together, and notably the first in back-to-back games. Their starting lineup finally displayed excellent chemistry late in the second quarter, leading to effective ball movement and wide-open scoring opportunities.
A key moment in the game came when Ball, with the Hornets leading by eight, attracted two defenders before passing to Brandon Miller, who scored a crucial 3-pointer from the corner, giving Charlotte an 11-point cushion with just 1:21 left on the clock.
In terms of statistics, the night’s results emphasize how desperate the Hornets were for a win, with their victory marking just their first since Thanksgiving.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Thursday, with the Suns playing host to the Hawks, while the Hornets prepare to take on the Lakers on the road.
