The Hornets Stay Alive to Overtake the Nets, 129-128
There was a lot for Hornets fans to like tonight as Charlotte eked out a win after a neck-and-neck, back-and-forth game against the Brooklyn Nets, 129-128. Missing not only LaMelo Ball but also a suddenly absent Brandon Miller — Miller was downgraded to out just ahead of the game — the Hornets' roster had their chance to shine. It's all about staying alive, and the Hornets did.
Terry Rozier — the glue that often holds the Hornets together, and he did tonight — came out with a whopping 37 points. It was another great game from Gordon Hayward — a beautiful alley-oop dunk for his second game in a row — giving him 22 points. Miles Bridges had 23. Mark Williams held it down and notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. This is Hornets basketball.
In the end, it was still a one-point victory. But it came without the Hornets' lead player. Still, it's what Charlotte needed to salvage this road trip before they head back to the Queen City. And it was good basketball right from the start, when the Hornets started the game with three triples in a row, followed by a dunk from Williams.
In a post-game interview, Rozier talked about working to step up in place of some of the Hornets' missing players, and he mentioned being comfortable with the guys who were on the court. If the Hornets continue to build on that, perhaps they can find a way to surpass this stretch absent LaMelo without too much discomfort.
Best of the Night: Bryce McGowens
In a rare start, McGowens came out absolutely on fire against the Nets. Looking confident and focused, he didn't miss a shot until halfway into the third quarter. He ended up with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes. McGowens started around a dozen times last season, so we know he has the goods. And he certainly didn't disappoint in his first start of the 2023-24 Hornets season.
Injury Update
As mentioned, because of his left ankle sprain earlier in the week, Miller was listed as out shortly before game time. But another Hornets injury development came as the the night progressed. It was the latest update on LaMelo Ball, whose injury sounds as if it may not be as dire as some had earlier speculated.
The Hornets said Melo "suffered a right ankle sprain on Sunday, November 26 against Orlando. The injury was confirmed by an MRI and Ball will be reevaluated in one week." Read the full update here.
Up Next: The Hornets head home to Spectrum Center to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday at 5 PM EST.
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