P.J. Washington Powers Pesky Hornets Past Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - As Kyrie Irving stated a couple of days ago, the Charlotte Hornets have nothing to play for. But you wouldn't know it by the way they've played of late. After two wins in three days over the Dallas Mavericks, the Hornets played spoiler once again knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder, 137-134.
On paper, the two wins over Dallas will look more impressive initially but once you dig into the box score and realize how many guys the Hornets were without Tuesday night, you might think otherwise. Charlotte didn't have the services of Terry Rozier (foot), Kelly Oubre (shoulder), Gordon Hayward (thumb) and Dennis Smith Jr. (foot) in addition to the long-term injuries of Cody Martin (knee) and LaMelo Ball (ankle).
Because of the injuries, Steve Clifford had a starting lineup that consisted of Theo Maledon, Svi Mykhailiuk, Bryce McGowens, P.J. Washington, and Nick Richards, meaning no true point guard on the floor. It was an ugly start for both teams offensively as neither team could get much of anything to fall in the first seven minutes.
Then the floodgates opened. The whole dynamic of the game changed in a heartbeat with the two teams combining for 76 points in the second quarter alone. Jalen Williams (19 pts, 6/7 FG), Isaiah Joe (16 pts, 6/9 FG), and Josh Giddey (15 pts, 7/12 FG) turned the tide for Oklahoma City while P.J. Washington (14 pts) was the only Hornet to reach double figures by halftime.
Washington really got it going in the fourth quarter, pouring in 22 points to help earn himself a new career-high (43). Charlotte went on a 19-4 run to take a 109-103 lead, which eventually ballooned to as much as 13. The Thunder refused to wave the white flag and dug deep into their bench, searching for answers. A 19-6 OKC run tied the game up at 129.
A few minutes later, Washington missed a running floater with under 30 seconds left but Nick Richards was right there to clean it up and throw it back home to take the lead, 134-132. Jalen Williams was fouled on the trip back up the floor but only made one of two shots at the line. Charlotte had a little trouble inbounding the ball but finally got it into JT Thor. He, too, went 1/2 from the line, keeping it at a two-point game. Nick Richards was called for a foul on Josh Giddey on the potential game-tying shot, but he continued the trend of splitting two shots at the line. Svi Mykhailiuk nailed his two freebies and a last-second heave from Jalen Williams clanked off the rim, securing the win for the pesky Hornets.
The Hornets will return to Spectrum Center on Friday for a matchup with the Chicago Bulls. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. EST.
1ST: CHA 26-23
CHA: 10/25 FG | 4/13 3FG | 2/4 FT | 15 REB | 6 AST | 4 TO | 12 PIP
OKC: 10/24 FG | 2/9 3FG | 1/2 FT | 14 REB | 6 AST | 5 TO | 16 PIP
2ND: OKC 68-57
CHA: 21/43 FG | 6/19 3FG | 9/17 FT | 24 REB | 14 AST | 11 TO | 28 PIP
OKC: 26/49 FG | 5/17 3FG | 11/12 FT | 24 REB | 14 AST | 7 TO | 40 PIP
3RD: OKC 99-93
CHA: 36/66FG | 9/25 3FG | 12/22 FT | 37 REB | 26 AST | 15 TO | 50 PIP
OKC: 38/73 FG | 7/24 3FG | 16/18 FT | 32 REB | 18 AST | 9 TO | 58 PIP
4TH: CHA wins 137-134
CHA: 52/94 FG | 14/35 3FG | 19/30 FT | 52 REB | 34 AST | 18 TO | 72 PIP
OKC: 50/96 FG | 11/30 3FG | 23/29 FT | 39 REB | 25 AST | 11 TO | 74 PIP
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