Hornets Fall Short in Tight Battle with Bulls Despite Big Nights from Knueppel and Bridges
The Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls went toe-to-toe in a game that delivered plenty of offense and momentum swings-but when the dust settled, it was the Bulls who made the final push and walked away with the win. Charlotte showed flashes of offensive brilliance, especially from Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges, but late-game execution and interior defense proved to be the difference.
First Half: Trading Buckets, Finding Rhythm
The Hornets didn’t exactly come out blazing, but Kon Knueppel made sure they didn’t fall behind early. The rookie wing hit a few smooth jumpers to keep pace with a Bulls team that was finding its rhythm quickly. Both squads were comfortable offensively, exchanging buckets in a first half that felt more like a track meet than a grind-it-out affair.
Late in the second quarter, Charlotte finally found some separation. Miles Bridges sparked a run with aggressive drives and confident shooting, while Knueppel and Brandon Miller chipped in to push the Hornets ahead. By halftime, Charlotte held a six-point lead and looked like they were ready to take control.
Third Quarter Surge, Bulls Respond
Coming out of the break, the Hornets caught fire from deep. They built a double-digit cushion behind a barrage of threes-Knueppel continued to let it fly, Bridges stayed aggressive, and the Hornets looked like they were in full command.
But Chicago wasn’t going away quietly. Patrick Williams kept the Bulls afloat early in the third, then Zach Collins took over late in the quarter.
His scoring flurry helped Chicago claw back into it, and by the end of the third, a Knueppel pull-up jumper was all that separated the teams. Charlotte led by three heading into the fourth, but the momentum had clearly shifted.
Fourth Quarter: Bulls Close, Hornets Can’t Finish
The final period was a back-and-forth slugfest, with both teams doing serious damage in the paint. Every possession mattered, and nearly every player found a way to contribute.
But when it came to crunch time, Zach Collins stepped up again-this time with a couple of clutch buckets and a key offensive rebound that led to a Tre Jones layup. That sequence gave the Bulls a five-point lead with just under a minute to go.
Charlotte got a lifeline when Miles Bridges converted a layup through contact and drew a foul from Josh Giddey. But Giddey quickly made up for it on the other end.
And just when it looked like Knueppel might have a shot to tie the game at the line, a review overturned the foul call. Chicago regained possession, and Coby White sealed the deal at the stripe.
Bright Spots: Knueppel and Bridges Shine
Let’s start with Kon Knueppel, who looked like a guy coming back from the break with something to prove. He played with bounce, confidence, and an all-around polish that’s becoming hard to ignore.
He didn’t just shoot the lights out-though he did that too, hitting from deep and going 7-of-9 inside the arc-he also dished out nine assists and attacked the rim with real purpose. His 33 points marked a career high, and the most impressive part?
He looked like he belonged in that role, taking 21 shots and staying aggressive all night.
Miles Bridges looked rejuvenated as well. After starting December ice-cold from three (just 1-of-20), he broke out in a big way with four triples in this one.
He was instrumental in Charlotte’s third-quarter surge and finished with 32 points and seven assists. His energy and shotmaking were a big reason the Hornets were in position to win.
Sion James also deserves a nod. With the Hornets short-handed in the backcourt, James took on more ball-handling duties and looked comfortable doing it.
He played with confidence, attacked closeouts, and showed a willingness to put the ball on the deck. He finished just one point shy of his career high, and his assertiveness was a welcome sight.
Areas for Concern: Miller’s Slump and Paint Defense
Brandon Miller’s shooting struggles continued. He’s now gone four straight games shooting under 40% from the field, and he’s just 7-of-30 from three during that stretch.
He’s clearly not 100%-coming off a broken shooting wrist and still wearing a wrap on his other arm-but the misses are piling up. You can see the frustration creeping in, especially from beyond the arc.
There were a few jumpers where he looked like he was forcing it, adding extra motion to his release. He finally knocked one down late, and his reaction said it all.
Defensively, the Hornets have some work to do-particularly in the paint. The Bulls racked up 80 points down low, and while Charlotte did block a fair number of shots, the rim protection just wasn’t enough to deter constant drives. There’s a lack of physicality and presence around the basket, and that’s something the Hornets need to tighten up if they want to close out games like this one.
What’s Next
The Hornets will be back in action Sunday afternoon for their next NBA Cup consolation matchup, this time against a Cavaliers team that’s solid, but not quite the force they were last season. After a game like this, the focus will be on tightening up the defense and continuing to build on the offensive chemistry we saw from Knueppel, Bridges, and James.