The Charlotte Hornets are riding high after notching their ninth consecutive victory, dispatching the Atlanta Hawks 126-119 on Saturday night in a game that showcased both their resilience and their emerging chemistry. The win, secured on the road at State Farm Arena, marks the Hornets’ longest active winning streak in the NBA and their best run since the 1998-99 season, when they also rattled off nine straight.
Miles Bridges led the charge for Charlotte, pouring in 26 points and delivering in crucial moments. Kon Knueppel, the rookie who’s rapidly making a name for himself, added 23 points, including a dagger three-pointer late in the contest that helped seal the deal. LaMelo Ball orchestrated the offense with poise, finishing with 19 points and nine assists, despite a costly turnover in the dying minutes that briefly put the outcome in doubt.
"We just keep believing in each other," Bridges said after the game, according to AP NBA. "Every night, someone steps up. Tonight it was Kon and Diabate on the boards. That’s how we keep this thing rolling."
The Hornets’ recent hot streak has propelled them to a 12-3 record over their last 15 games, a dramatic turnaround from their early season struggles. Brandon Miller chipped in 16 points, while Moussa Diabate dominated the glass, hauling in 15 rebounds to go with his 11 points. Diabate’s relentless effort on the boards proved pivotal, as Charlotte finished with a commanding 49-30 advantage in rebounding, including a whopping 15 offensive rebounds.
For the Atlanta Hawks, the night was a frustrating blend of missed opportunities and flashes of promise. Jalen Johnson nearly carried his team to victory, tallying 31 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. He was a force on both ends, using his size and athleticism to bully his way to the rim and disrupt passing lanes, notching three steals in the process. Zaccharie Risacher, after a challenging sophomore campaign marred by injuries and inconsistency, finally looked like the player Hawks fans have been hoping for. He scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, and contributed three blocks on defense.
"I felt good out there," Risacher said, as reported by On SI. "Coach told me to just play my game, and tonight my shots were falling. We just have to find a way to finish games like this."
The game itself was a rollercoaster, with momentum swinging back and forth. Atlanta started strong, matching Charlotte shot for shot and entering halftime deadlocked at 60 apiece. The third quarter, however, proved to be the Hawks’ undoing. Their struggles after halftime have become a recurring theme this season, and Saturday night was no exception. Charlotte closed the third period on an 11-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play and a 3-pointer from Grant Williams and a timely triple from Tre Mann, giving the Hornets a 98-90 lead heading into the final frame.
Despite their woes, the Hawks fought back valiantly. An inspired 13-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter saw Atlanta surge ahead, 108-105, and for a moment, it looked like they might snap Charlotte’s streak. But turnovers and missed opportunities—especially a pair of open corner threes by Corey Kispert that rattled out—let the Hornets regain control. The Hawks’ offensive execution faltered just when they needed it most, and Charlotte’s crisp ball movement created open looks at the other end.
Atlanta’s shooting numbers were impressive, as they hit 48.9% from the field and 48.6% from three-point range. Yet, when the game hung in the balance, they went cold, missing three consecutive attempts from deep with under three minutes to play. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s composure at the free throw line was impeccable—they converted all 16 of their attempts, while Atlanta went 15-for-17.
With 1:42 left on the clock, the Hawks trailed 120-115. Dyson Daniels gave Atlanta hope with a thunderous put-back dunk, and Johnson calmly sank two free throws to cut the lead to one with just 26.3 seconds remaining. But the Hornets refused to blink. Ball, Miller, and Bridges each knocked down a pair of free throws in the closing seconds, icing the game and ensuring the streak would live on.
"That’s a tough team over there," Hawks coach said postgame. "We battled, but they owned the glass and made their free throws. You can’t give a team like that second chances."
Onyeka Okongwu provided a spark for Atlanta in his return, scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds while shooting 4-of-7 from deep. However, the Hawks’ inability to match Charlotte’s energy on the boards proved decisive. The Hornets’ 15 offensive rebounds led to numerous second-chance points, and Diabate’s hustle was a difference-maker all night long.
LaMelo Ball’s night wasn’t without its hiccups—he committed a critical turnover with less than a minute to play—but his steady hand at the line and his leadership throughout the contest kept the Hornets on course. Knueppel’s confidence shone through in crunch time, and his timely three-pointer late in the fourth quarter was a backbreaker for Atlanta’s comeback hopes.
The Hornets’ nine-game winning streak now stands as the longest in the NBA, and with a four-game homestand on the horizon, Charlotte fans have plenty to be excited about. The team’s next test comes Monday night, as they host the Detroit Pistons in what promises to be another electric atmosphere at Spectrum Center.
For the Hawks, the loss stings, especially given how close they came to toppling one of the league’s hottest squads. Still, there are positives to build on—Johnson’s near triple-double, Risacher’s resurgence, and the team’s overall shooting performance. Atlanta now heads out on a three-game road trip, starting Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, hoping to regroup and regain their rhythm.
As the NBA season grinds on, the Hornets are proving they’re more than just a feel-good story—they’re a team to watch, blending youthful exuberance with veteran savvy. Whether they can keep this remarkable run going remains to be seen, but for now, Charlotte’s streak is the talk of the league, and the city is buzzing with anticipation for what’s next.