The Charlotte Hornets (21-60) shocked the playoff-bound Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34) with a 120-110 victory in their season finale.
Nick Smith Jr. led the charge for the Hornets, scoring a season-high 24 points, while Steve Clifford bid farewell to coaching with a win.
Resting key players like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, the Cavaliers couldn’t hold off the Hornets’ late surge, marking their fourth-place finish in the East.
Max Strus notched his first career triple-double for Cleveland with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Georges Niang (16 points), Evan Mobley (14 points), and Jarrett Allen (14 points) contributed significantly for the Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, JT Thor (20 points, 9 rebounds) and Bryce McGowens (18 points) shone for the Hornets, displaying promising performances for the future.
The Hornets missed key contributors like Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges due to injuries.
