The Charlotte Hornets didn’t just beat the defending champs Sunday night-they owned the moment. From the opening tip, Charlotte came out swinging against the Denver Nuggets, and by the time LaMelo Ball detonated at the rim midway through the game, the outcome already felt inevitable.
But that dunk? That was the exclamation point.
Ball’s one-handed slam sent the Hornets’ bench into a frenzy-players leaping, arms flying, pure chaos in the best way. It was the kind of play that doesn’t just get the fans out of their seats-it gets the whole team believing.
And while it was just two points on the scoreboard, it was a statement. This team isn’t backing down from anyone.
But Ball’s night wasn’t about stuffing the stat sheet-it was about control. He finished with 10 points, six assists, and three steals, playing with the kind of poise that doesn’t always show up in the box score.
He orchestrated the offense, picked his spots, and let the game come to him. In short, he looked like a floor general who knows when to push and when to pull back.
The real scoring punch came from Brandon Miller, who continued his recent hot streak with 23 points. He’s starting to look more and more like the go-to scorer Charlotte hoped he’d become.
Rookie big man Ryan Kalkbrenner chipped in with 17 points and six boards, showing off his soft touch and growing confidence. And Tidjane Salaun?
He was everywhere-crashing the glass, finishing inside, and racking up a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double that underscored his growing role in this young core.
Charlotte jumped out to an early double-digit lead and never looked back. They held Denver to season lows in both total points and three-point percentage-a testament to the Hornets’ defensive intensity and commitment to the game plan. It wasn’t just a win-it was a wire-to-wire dismantling of one of the league’s most consistent teams.
And here’s where it gets interesting.
LaMelo Ball’s future in Charlotte has been a hot topic around the league. Five seasons in, and he still hasn’t played a single playoff game. While peers like Cade Cunningham and Tyrese Haliburton are already shifting narratives and leading postseason pushes, Ball’s trajectory has been harder to define-partly due to injuries, partly due to the Hornets’ ongoing rebuild.
But since his return from an ankle injury in mid-December, the numbers tell a different story. Charlotte has quietly posted one of the league’s best net ratings.
Over the past two weeks, they’ve been among the most efficient teams in the NBA. They’re winning games they used to lose-grinding out tough possessions, closing quarters strong, and showing real growth.
That’s why the upcoming trade deadline looms large. There’s always temptation to flip veterans or depth pieces for future assets, especially for a team that’s been in rebuild mode for years.
But Charlotte’s recent form suggests they might be closer to breaking through than starting over. The chemistry is clicking.
The young core is maturing. And with Ball back in rhythm, this group looks more playoff-ready than ever.
If the Hornets want to quiet the outside noise and end the speculation about Ball’s future, there’s one clear path: win now. Get into the postseason.
Show that this core can compete when it matters. Because if Sunday night was any indication, this team might not just be building for the future-they might already be arriving.