Hornets Snap Skid Behind LaMelo’s Return and “Bee Three” Breakout
Final Score: Charlotte Hornets 133, Atlanta Hawks 126
The Charlotte Hornets didn’t just win a basketball game on Monday night-they may have offered a glimpse of what this team could be when the core is fully intact. With LaMelo Ball back in the lineup, Brandon Miller continuing his evolution, and rookie Kon Knueppel showing why he’s already a fan favorite, the Hornets lit up the scoreboard and finally broke a head-to-head losing streak against the Hawks that had been hanging over them.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded-and why this win might be more than just a one-off.
LaMelo Ball Returns-and Closes
After nearly two weeks on the shelf with a bone bruise in his left ankle, LaMelo Ball returned to the court and looked every bit like the All-Star version of himself. He put up 28 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting night, but more importantly, he closed.
With the Hornets clinging to a shrinking lead late in the fourth, LaMelo took over. He went on a personal 7-0 run to seal the win, capped by a cold-blooded step-back jumper over Onyeka Okongwu-his old high school teammate.
That’s the kind of shot you hit when you’re not just healthy, but confident. And that’s the version of LaMelo the Hornets have been missing.
His minutes were managed-29 in total-but head coach Steve Clifford made sure he was on the floor when it mattered most. That balance between caution and competitiveness is tricky, but Charlotte got it right this time.
The “Bee Three” Put on a Show
If you’re wondering why the Hornets’ offense looked so explosive, look no further than the trio of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel. Together, they combined for 82 points and were +20 when sharing the floor.
That’s not a typo. That’s the kind of offensive firepower that can change a season.
Their collective offensive rating when on the court together? An eye-popping 172.
That’s not just good-it’s nuclear. The spacing, the ball movement, the shot-making-it all clicked.
Yes, Atlanta’s defense has had its issues, but this was about more than just taking advantage of a soft opponent. This was Charlotte’s young core showing what it could be if they can finally stay healthy together.
Ball Movement at Its Best
Charlotte came out of the gates like a team on a mission. They dropped a franchise-record 80 points in the first half and finished the night with 39 assists.
The ball never stuck. It was inside-out, swing-swing, unselfish basketball.
They passed up good shots for great ones, and it showed.
It’s no coincidence that this kind of offensive rhythm came with LaMelo back on the floor. His ability to manipulate defenses and create space for others is what unlocks everything. But it wasn’t just him-Kon and Miller were both making high-level reads, and the whole team fed off that energy.
Kon Knueppel: Hustle and Highlights
Knueppel’s 28 points were impressive, but it was the how that stood out. He turned broken plays into momentum-swinging moments.
One sequence saw him nearly lose the ball in the backcourt, only to recover and force up a shot that somehow hit the rim-avoiding a turnover. Later, he blocked a Jalen Johnson save attempt, leading directly to a clutch three from Miles Bridges.
These are the “chicken salad” plays-when things go sideways and you still end up with something positive. That’s winning basketball, and Kon delivered it in key moments.
Brandon Miller’s Playmaking Leap
We’ve seen Miller score. We’ve seen him defend.
But Monday night, we saw him create. The second-year forward flashed real growth as a passer, especially during a third-quarter stretch where he dished out highlight-reel assists to Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges.
That kind of vision and feel is what separates good wings from great ones. If Miller continues to evolve as a playmaker, it adds a whole new dimension to Charlotte’s offense-and potentially reshuffles the team’s internal hierarchy.
He also brought some fire, throwing down a huge dunk that came with a little extra shove. It earned him a technical foul, but honestly?
You’ll take that edge. This team needs a little swagger.
Defensive Woes, But Enough Stops to Win
It wasn’t all sunshine for Charlotte. The defense had real trouble containing Jalen Johnson, who poured in points in transition and nearly led a Hawks comeback. Atlanta cut the lead to just one in the fourth quarter, and for a moment it looked like the Hornets might let this one slip.
But when it mattered, the offense had enough left in the tank to hold off the charge. That’s progress, even if the defense remains a work in progress.
Tidjane Salaün: Quiet Minutes, Solid Impact
Rookie forward Tidjane Salaün (aka “TJ Sally”) deserves a quick shoutout. In just 15 minutes, he posted 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists on 4-of-6 shooting.
He played with energy, stayed under control, and gave the Hornets quality minutes off the bench. There’s still some rawness to his game-he’s a bit foul-prone-but the flashes are there.
Injury Updates and Rotation Notes
- LaMelo Ball returned after missing time with a left ankle bone bruise suffered on December 5 against the Raptors. He slipped while defending and exited after just 12 minutes in that game.
- Head coach Steve Clifford confirmed before the game that Ball would be on a minutes restriction, aiming to ease him back into the lineup without compromising his long-term availability.
- Trae Young also returned for Atlanta, playing limited minutes after missing 22 games. His absence had loomed large for the Hawks, who came in having dropped four of their last six.
- Hornets Starting Five: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Trade Rumblings and Front Office Watch
Around the league, there’s growing curiosity about Charlotte’s long-term direction. According to league sources, the Hornets are still committed to evaluating what they have in the Ball-Miller-Knueppel core-if they can stay healthy.
That’s a big “if.” Injuries have derailed any real momentum for this group so far.
But the front office still sees a potential Play-In contender if the main pieces can stay on the floor. That evaluation window is key, especially with trade season heating up.
Interestingly, the Toronto Raptors reportedly inquired about LaMelo Ball’s availability over the summer. That’s the same team he accidentally ran out of the tunnel with before injuring his ankle in Toronto earlier this month. Call it ironic, call it foreshadowing-but it’s something to keep an eye on.
Bottom Line
This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement-albeit a tentative one.
The Hornets showed what their young core can do when everyone’s healthy and clicking. LaMelo looked like himself again.
Miller and Knueppel looked like future stars. And for one night, the Hornets looked like a team with a real future.
Now, the challenge is doing it again. And again. And again.