The Charlotte Hornets broke a tight game in the fourth quarter to defeat the Washington Wizards 126–109 at Spectrum Center on Tuesday night. LaMelo Ball led the way with 23 points and nine assists, while Brandon Miller added 20 points in a balanced offensive effort.
Rookie Kon Knueppel sparked the Hornets with 19 points, hitting five crucial 3-pointers after halftime to help seal the victory. Moussa Diabate grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds and scored 12 points, providing a dominant presence on the boards for Charlotte.
Miles Bridges flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, highlighting a strong all-around team performance. The Hornets outscored Washington 34-19 in the fourth, turning a two-point lead into a decisive win.
Charlotte trailed by 10 in the first half but clawed back to 65-62 at the break behind Diabate’s 13 first-half rebounds. The Hornets’ fourth-quarter surge included a 12-4 run sparked by seven points from Ball, while Miller’s three-pointer extended the lead to double digits with five minutes remaining.
Knueppel continued his hot shooting from beyond the arc, making three more 3-pointers in the final minutes to provide breathing room. Charlotte finished 20-of-50 from three-point range, showcasing their improved perimeter efficiency.
The Wizards were led by Khris Middleton’s 16 points, but the team struggled to maintain consistency. Bub Carrington left the game with a lower-leg injury, further complicating Washington’s night.
Charlotte improves to 10-20 with the win, while Washington falls to 5-23. The Hornets visit Orlando on Friday, and the Wizards host Toronto in their next game.
