The Charlotte Hornets are starting to look like a team that’s figuring things out - and doing it with some serious flair. Thursday night’s 123-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks wasn’t just another notch in the win column. It was a hard-fought, back-and-forth battle that showed off the Hornets’ growing confidence, their offensive depth, and a little bit of late-game magic.
Let’s start with LaMelo Ball, because as he goes, so often go the Hornets. There’s a certain joy to the way Ball plays - a mix of creativity and confidence that can sometimes be mistaken for carelessness.
But make no mistake: when he’s healthy and locked in, his impact is undeniable. Against Dallas, Ball dished out nine assists and added 22 points, continuing to be the engine of Charlotte’s offense.
More importantly, he hit a major career milestone, becoming just the fifth player in NBA history to record 5,000 points, 1,500 rebounds, and 2,000 assists within his first 300 games. The names he joins?
Luka Doncic, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson, and Walt Frazier - not exactly bad company.
But this win wasn’t just about LaMelo. It was a full-team effort, and it had to be, because Cooper Flagg was doing everything in his power to steal the spotlight.
The Mavericks rookie exploded for 49 points, keeping Dallas in it until the final buzzer. The Hornets, who had been blowing teams out during their recent four-game win streak, had to dig deep this time to make it five in a row.
Enter Kon Knueppel. The rookie put together the best performance of his young career, dropping 34 points and delivering in the clutch.
His late-game heroics helped seal the win, and it’s becoming clear that he’s not just a complementary piece - he’s a rising threat in his own right. Brandon Miller also came up big, scoring 23 points, including a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth that gave Charlotte a three-point cushion.
And while the highlight reel will feature Ball’s dimes and Knueppel’s buckets, the Hornets’ balance was key. All five starters scored in double figures - a sign of an offense that’s humming. Miles Bridges chipped in 17, and Moussa Diabate added 10, rounding out a team performance that showed just how many ways this group can beat you.
This win wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t dominant.
But it was gritty - and maybe more impressive because of it. The Hornets are learning how to win different types of games, and that’s the kind of growth that matters in the long run.
When LaMelo’s orchestrating, the rookies are stepping up, and the whole starting five is contributing, Charlotte becomes a team that’s not just fun to watch - they’re tough to beat.