LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller led the Charlotte Hornets to a 103-83 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, each delivering standout performances. Ball scored 17 of his 31 points in a fourth-quarter surge, while Miller recorded 29 points, tying his career high with seven 3-pointers.
After trailing by as many as 13 points, Charlotte mounted a comeback fueled by Miller’s hot shooting late in the third quarter. The second-year forward sparked the team with five 3-pointers and 17 points in that quarter alone, helping the Hornets outscore Indiana 23-2 during a pivotal stretch.
Charlotte’s bench played a significant role, with Cody Martin scoring 15 points and Tre Mann adding 14. The Hornets’ victory marked their second consecutive win, improving their record to 4-5.
Indiana’s Pascal Siakam led his team with 27 points, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 22. However, the Pacers struggled defensively in the second half, allowing Charlotte to pull away despite a strong first-half showing.
With a string of injuries affecting Charlotte’s roster, rookie forward Tidjane Salaun stepped in as a starter, becoming the second-youngest player in Hornets history to do so. He finished the game with two points on 1/6 shooting.
Ball struggled early, shooting 5-of-20 through three quarters but found his rhythm in the final period, going 5-of-9 from the field with three 3-pointers to secure the victory for Charlotte.
Charlotte’s 3-point shooting was instrumental in their comeback, as they made 11 of their 24 attempts from beyond the arc in the second half. Their defense also limited Indiana to 37% shooting overall, contributing to the Pacers’ fourth loss of the season.
The Hornets will look to build on this momentum as they continue their early-season push, aiming to overcome their injury challenges and climb in the standings. The Pacers, meanwhile, face defensive questions as they seek to rebound from the loss and improve on their 4-5 record.
