Kon Knueppel scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and added eight assists as the Charlotte Hornets ended a two-game skid with a 111-86 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night at Scotiabank Arena. Miles Bridges contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, helping Charlotte control the paint.
LaMelo Ball played just 12 minutes due to left ankle soreness, finishing with 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists, but the Hornets maintained a balanced attack to secure the victory.
Charlotte shot 50% from the field and 36% from three, holding Toronto to 37% and forcing turnovers that led to fast-break points.
Immanuel Quickley scored a season-high 31 points for the Raptors, while Scottie Barnes added 13 points and five assists, but Toronto struggled defensively and could not match Charlotte’s efficiency. Raptors reserve Jamison Battle left with 11 minutes remaining after spraining his left ankle, further limiting bench production.
The Hornets surged in the second quarter, outscoring Toronto 35-18 to build a 53-42 lead, and extended it steadily in the second half behind Knueppel’s shooting and Bridges’ inside presence. Duncan Robinson chipped in key points for Charlotte, helping maintain a double-digit lead throughout the final quarter.
Toronto relied heavily on Quickley’s scoring, with limited support from the rest of the roster. Brandon Ingram added seven points, Jakob Poeltl had five, and Ja’Kobe Walter scored two, but the team was outmuscled on the boards, giving up 47 rebounds to Charlotte.
Charlotte improved to 7-16, while Toronto dropped to 15-9, falling short of back-to-back wins after losing to the Lakers 123-120 on Thursday. The Hornets host Denver on Sunday, while the Raptors welcome Boston in their next matchup.
