The Charlotte Hornets (2-2) clinched a 138-133 win over the Toronto Raptors (1-4) on Wednesday, thanks to standout performances from Tre Mann, Nick Richards, and Cody Martin.
Mann scored 27 points off the bench, Richards added 24 points with 14 rebounds, and Martin achieved a career-high 25 points, powering Charlotte to their first home victory of the season.
The Hornets built a commanding 23-point lead in the first half, only for the Raptors to close the gap before Charlotte’s 12-0 run at the end of the third quarter put them back in control.
LaMelo Ball contributed 19 points and was instrumental in Charlotte’s late third-quarter surge, scoring five points, securing a steal, and assisting Mann’s 3-pointer to regain a seven-point lead.
The Raptors, missing Scottie Barnes due to an orbital fracture, relied on RJ Barrett’s 31 points, Gradey Dick’s career-high 30, and Jakob Poeltl’s 20 points and 16 rebounds.
Toronto struggled offensively without Barnes, turning the ball over seven times in the first quarter, resulting in 10 Charlotte points and a 30-16 deficit.
Despite trailing early, the Raptors came alive in the second quarter, scoring 43 points and creating momentum that kept the game competitive until the final minutes.
Charlotte’s bench provided a decisive boost, contributing 72 points overall, with Mann, Martin, and Grant Williams combining for 69 points on efficient shooting.
