Hornets Take Down Magic Behind Red-Hot Start, Balanced Attack
Final: Charlotte Hornets 120, Orlando Magic 105
The Charlotte Hornets came out swinging and never looked back in a 120-105 win over the Orlando Magic-a performance that featured early fireworks, gritty rebounding, and a surprisingly efficient shooting night that helped them snap a losing skid and grab their 11th win of the season.
Let’s break down how it happened.
Kon Knueppel Ignites the Offense Early
Rookie guard Kon Knueppel wasted no time setting the tone. He poured in 16 points in the first quarter alone, giving Charlotte an early spark that helped them build momentum. He was aggressive, confident, and decisive-everything you want from a young scorer trying to carve out a role.
Unfortunately, his night was cut short in the second quarter due to a right ankle injury. But by then, the Hornets had already found their rhythm, and Knueppel’s early burst gave them the cushion they needed to stay in control.
Tidjane Salaun Steps Up in a Big Way
With Knueppel sidelined, it was Tidjane Salaun who stepped into the spotlight-and he delivered in a big way. The 18-year-old forward played one of his most complete games of the season, finishing with 14 points and 8 rebounds on a hyper-efficient 6-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Salaun’s impact went beyond the box score. He was active defensively, made smart cuts, and showed poise in key moments. Plays like his baseline drive into a reverse layup or his help-side contest on a Paolo Banchero drive showed just how versatile and valuable he can be when he’s locked in.
LaMelo Ball Orchestrates with Control
LaMelo Ball didn’t need to be flashy to be effective in this one. He played with control, made the right reads, and let the game come to him. His final line: 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
One of the more encouraging signs? His shot selection.
Ball picked his spots well, pushed the pace when needed, and showed a willingness to make the extra pass. That said, he continues to deal with a tough whistle-there were a few drives where he clearly absorbed contact but didn’t get the call.
Still, his composure never wavered.
Moussa Diabate Brings the Hustle
If you’re looking for the heartbeat of this Hornets win, look no further than Moussa Diabate. The big man brought relentless energy on both ends of the floor, finishing with 10 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.
Diabate was everywhere-crashing the glass, diving for loose balls, and anchoring the paint on defense. With Charlotte missing key frontcourt pieces like Ryan Kalkbrenner and Mason Plumlee, his presence was vital. He didn’t just fill the gap-he owned the role.
Dominating the Glass and Lighting It Up from Deep
Charlotte’s rebounding advantage was a storyline from start to finish. They consistently outworked Orlando on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities and limiting the Magic’s ability to get out in transition.
But the real dagger? The Hornets’ shooting from long range.
They knocked down a staggering 39 threes at a 48% clip-an absurd number that speaks to both execution and rhythm. When a team shoots like that, especially with balanced contributions across the board, they’re going to be tough to beat.
Roster Updates and Rotations
The Hornets were without several key players, including Ryan Kalkbrenner (left elbow sprain), Mason Plumlee (right groin strain), and Grant Williams (right knee). But they got a boost from a new face-PJ Hall, the Summer League standout, who signed a two-way deal and stepped into a potential backup center role with Kalkbrenner out.
On the Magic’s side, they were missing a handful of contributors as well: Jalen Suggs (hip), Goga Bitadze (knee), Franz Wagner (ankle), and Moritz Wagner (knee). Tristan Da Silva, however, was upgraded to available before tipoff.
Starting Lineups
Hornets: LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate
Magic: Tyus Jones, Anthony Black, Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Final Word
This was one of those games where everything clicked for Charlotte, even amid injuries and lineup shuffling. They played with energy, shared the ball, and shot the lights out. The early spark from Knueppel, the steady hand of LaMelo, and the all-around contributions from guys like Salaun and Diabate made this a full-team win.
If the Hornets can bottle this kind of effort-especially the rebounding and ball movement-they’ll be a much tougher out moving forward.