Hornets Bounce Back in a Big Way, Blow Past Magic in Wire-to-Wire Win
What a difference 24 hours can make.
After a rough showing the night before, the Charlotte Hornets came out Wednesday night looking like a completely different team-and they played like one too. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, Charlotte was locked in, drilling shots, defending with purpose, and delivering the kind of complete performance that's been hard to come by this season.
The result? A wire-to-wire blowout win over the Orlando Magic that not only snapped a skid but also showcased what this Hornets team can be when everything clicks.
Hot Start, Smothering Defense
The Hornets didn’t exactly open the game with beautiful ball movement or highlight-reel passing, but it didn’t matter-shots were falling. And once the offense found its rhythm, it was game on.
Charlotte leaned on the defensive intensity that nearly sparked a comeback against Cleveland and used it as a foundation to build a double-digit lead early. A rare and-one on a missed free throw (yes, you read that right) helped push the lead to 15 by the end of the first quarter.
From there, the Hornets kept their foot on the gas. They threw a wrench into Orlando’s offense by packing the paint and mixing in zone looks-clearly game-planned to exploit one of the Magic’s biggest weaknesses: perimeter shooting.
Orlando had their chances from deep, but they couldn’t make Charlotte pay. The Magic shot a decent 37% from three, but they couldn’t get anything going inside the arc.
The Hornets forced them into 21 midrange shots-and they hit just four of them. That’s textbook defense in today’s NBA.
Charlotte also cleaned up one of its biggest issues from the previous night: rebounding. After getting beat up on the glass against Cleveland, the Hornets responded by limiting Orlando to just six offensive rebounds and two second-chance points. That kind of commitment to the fundamentals goes a long way, especially for a young team trying to find its identity.
Miller Magic, Melo Efficiency, and a Bench That Brought the Heat
Brandon Miller continues to look more and more comfortable with each passing game, especially inside the arc. He was 6-of-8 on two-point attempts and scored in a variety of ways-floaters, euro steps, tough finishes-and even left Paolo Banchero in the dust with a nasty crossover that had the crowd buzzing. Miller’s ability to create off the dribble and finish in traffic is becoming a real weapon for Charlotte.
LaMelo Ball, meanwhile, didn’t need to dominate the ball to make an impact. After a couple of rough outings, he delivered a smooth, efficient night: 16 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds.
Nothing flashy, just a steady hand guiding the offense and keeping things moving. That said, it’s worth noting-he’s gone three straight games without attempting a free throw.
For a player of his caliber and usage, that’s something to monitor. Drawing contact and getting to the line is a key piece of offensive efficiency, and it’s an area where Ball can still grow.
Miles Bridges added his own highlight to the night with a thunderous dunk that sent the bench into a frenzy. But the real story might’ve been the bench.
Charlotte’s second unit flat-out overwhelmed Orlando’s. Collin Sexton was a flamethrower, dropping 19 points on just seven shots.
Tidjane Salaün, who’s been out of the rotation recently, got some run and reminded everyone why there’s real intrigue around his long-term potential. As a group, the Hornets’ bench poured in 55 points on 17-of-25 shooting-including a scorching 9-of-10 from deep.
That’s the kind of production that flips games and builds momentum.
Trending in the Right Direction?
With this win, the Hornets actually leapfrogged the Magic in point differential on the season-now sitting at +0.4 per game, good for eighth in the East. That stat doesn’t always tell the whole story, but it’s often a strong indicator that wins are on the horizon. If Charlotte can build on this kind of performance, they might just start stacking a few.
What’s Next
The Hornets head back home looking to give their fans something they haven’t seen in a while: a win at Spectrum Center. Their last home victory came against the Wizards-and wouldn’t you know it, that’s who’s up next. Charlotte hosts Washington on Saturday in a game that’s been moved up to noon to stay ahead of a winter storm sweeping through the Southeast.
If the Hornets bring the same energy, effort, and execution they showed against Orlando, they’ll have a great shot at making it two in a row.