Hornets Soar Past Bulls with Record-Breaking Road Win
In a thrilling display of basketball prowess, the Charlotte Hornets set a franchise record with their eighth consecutive road victory, overpowering the Chicago Bulls with an explosive third quarter.
Game Breakdown
The Hornets started the game firing from deep but struggled to find their rhythm initially, leading to some early turnovers. This allowed the Bulls to snatch a brief lead, with Coby White making an immediate impact by sinking a step-back jumper on his first touch as a Hornet.
The teams were neck and neck after the first quarter and continued to trade blows in the second. Collin Sexton led a charge that gave the Bulls a temporary cushion, but the Hornets quickly responded with their own run, finishing the half with a narrow one-point advantage.
The second half saw LaMelo Ball miss a three-pointer on the Hornets' first possession, but that was merely a prelude to what came next. Charlotte went on a shooting spree, barely missing a shot for the remainder of the game.
They clamped down defensively, creating turnovers and deflecting passes to fuel their transition game. Kon Knueppel's seven straight points and Brandon Miller's contributions extended their lead significantly.
At the peak, a 32-6 run had the Hornets up by 27 points heading into the final quarter. Josh Green added to the lead with clutch corner threes and a smooth step-back jumper, sealing the game.
Key Performances
The Hornets' defense was the unsung hero of the night, especially in the third quarter. Their ability to force turnovers and convert them into fast-break opportunities was reminiscent of the dominant Warriors teams of old.
Kon Knueppel was outstanding, tallying 21 points and hitting three more from beyond the arc. He broke Duncan Robinson’s record for the fewest games to reach 200 three-pointers by 11 games and is on the brink of breaking Keegan Murray’s rookie record. Knueppel currently leads the NBA in three-pointers made, outpacing Donovan Mitchell by 10.
Coby White made his Hornets debut, showcasing his speed and scoring ability despite some early turnovers and misses, understandable as he returns from injury. Meanwhile, Josh Green continued to impress off the bench, contributing with his signature offensive rebound passes and hitting key shots.
The Hornets' starters delivered solid performances, with the return of Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate adding depth and energy to the lineup.
Areas for Improvement
Collin Sexton, now with the Bulls, had a tough outing against his former team. It’s hard not to feel for him as he faces a challenging transition. Hopefully, he finds a favorable situation as he approaches free agency this summer.
Brandon Miller’s six turnovers, mostly in the first half, highlighted moments of indecisiveness. He needs to focus on letting the game flow naturally rather than forcing plays, which sometimes leads to unnecessary mistakes.
Looking Ahead
The Hornets continue their journey through the Eastern Conference with a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. Having lost both encounters with the Pacers this season, they’ll need to bring their A-game to turn the tide.