MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In a dynamic performance, Desmond Bane contributed 24 points, while Luke Kennard hit a season-high of 23 points with seven made 3-pointers, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 132-120 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Jaren Jackson Jr. added 22 points to the scoreboard, and Ja Morant supported the team with a double-double, tallying 16 points and 13 assists, securing Memphis its fourth consecutive win. Bane showcased efficiency, shooting 10 of 15 from the field, and Kennard performed well at 8 of 12, helping the Grizzlies achieve an overall shooting percentage of 50%.
Mark Williams had a standout night for the Hornets, scoring a career-best 38 points with impressive shooting, connecting on 14 of 18 attempts. His teammate LaMelo Ball contributed significantly with 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while Miles Bridges added 17 points. Despite their efforts, Charlotte saw its three-game winning streak come to an end.
Memphis established dominance early, leading by 13 points at the end of the first quarter and expanding the gap with a 40-23 advantage in the second quarter. By the third quarter, their lead swelled to 34 points, providing enough cushion to manage a late 12-0 run from Charlotte.
In the game’s analysis:
For the Hornets, their shooting woes continued, finishing the game with a 42.9% shooting percentage, ranking last in the league, and struggling at 36.4% by halftime. Additionally, Charlotte committed 14 turnovers, which allowed Memphis to convert those mistakes into 21 points.
On the Grizzlies’ side, they effectively dominated both inside and outside the arc, amassing 32 points in the paint during the first half and making 11 out of 21 3-point attempts for the game.
A pivotal moment occurred when the Grizzlies took their lead to 32 points in the first half, closing the half at 78-48, matching the team’s highest scoring output for a half in the season.
Highlighting one key statistic, Kennard not only secured a season-high with six made 3-pointers in the first half but was part of Memphis’s overall shooting success, which stood at 53.7% and included an impressive 11 of 24 from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Hornets will kick off a nine-game homestand on Friday night against Portland, while the Grizzlies will continue their own four-game homestand that evening against New Orleans.
