The Charlotte Hornets delivered a dazzling performance at Spectrum Center on March 24, 2026, tying their franchise record with 26 three-pointers in a commanding 134-90 victory over the injury-riddled Sacramento Kings. The win marked the Hornets’ fourth straight and their sixth in the last seven games, as Charlotte continued its late-season surge in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
From the opening tip, the Hornets looked every bit the team on a hot streak. Coby White, coming off the bench, led all scorers with 27 points, shooting an efficient 9-of-12 from the field and a blistering 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. White’s shooting set the tone for a Charlotte squad that simply couldn’t miss from deep, matching their franchise-best 26 triples—a feat first achieved just over a year ago against the San Antonio Spurs.
LaMelo Ball, fresh off being named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, continued his stellar play. Ball poured in 20 points, connected on 6-of-13 from deep, and added 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. His performance was historic in its own right: Ball surpassed Dell Curry to move into second place on the Hornets’ all-time three-pointers made list, now trailing only Kemba Walker. According to the team, "LaMelo Ball moved into second all time for Hornets 3-pointers, passing Dell Curry, who just had his No. 30 jersey retired by the organization."
Kon Knueppel, cleared to play despite some lower back soreness, chipped in 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range. Brandon Miller, another key piece in the Hornets’ youth movement, added three triples of his own. Moussa Diabaté anchored the paint with a double-double, tallying 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Miles Bridges contributed with efficient offense and solid rebounding.
For Sacramento, the night was a harsh reminder of their current plight. The Kings entered the contest with 10 players listed as out on the injury report—among them season-long absences for Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, De’Andre Hunter, Drew Eubanks, Keegan Murray, Russell Westbrook, Killian Hayes, Nique Clifford, and Precious Achiuwa. With only eight players available, Sacramento had little margin for error or fatigue.
Despite the adversity, there were bright spots for the Kings. Daeqwon Plowden, cleared to play through right foot soreness, came off the bench to score a career-high 22 points. Devin Carter added 18 points, and rookie Maxime Raynaud—who has been on a tear with four 20-point games in his last five outings—chipped in 16 points. Malik Monk, returning to Charlotte where his NBA career began, struggled from the field with just 7 points on 3-of-13 shooting but did dish out a career-high 14 assists. According to reports, "Monk, who began his career in Charlotte, did have a career-high 14 assists, but his team needed a lot more scoring on a night it lost by 44 points." DeMar DeRozan, who has been a reliable scorer all season, finished with 7 points as well.
The Hornets seized control early, jumping out to a 34-25 lead after the first quarter and extending the margin to 72-47 by halftime. White led all scorers at the break with 17 points, while Charlotte’s rebounding advantage (30-19 in the first half) and second-chance points (20-2) highlighted the Kings’ struggles on both ends. The Hornets’ relentless perimeter barrage only intensified in the third quarter, with Ball, Miller, and Bridges combining for four triples during a 15-0 run that ballooned the lead to 98-57.
By the fourth quarter, the game had turned into a rout. Charlotte’s lead swelled to as many as 46 points, and the sellout crowd of 19,450 enjoyed every minute of the spectacle. The Hornets finished the night shooting 47.3% from three-point range (26-of-55) and out-rebounded Sacramento 57-35. For the Kings, a 32.1% mark from deep (9-of-28) simply wasn’t enough to keep pace, especially with so many key contributors sidelined.
Statistically, the Hornets’ offensive output was staggering. Their 134 points were fueled not just by three-point shooting but also by dominance on the glass and in second-chance opportunities, where they outscored Sacramento 30-6. The Kings’ 40.7% shooting from the field paled in comparison to Charlotte’s efficiency, and the visitors’ depleted roster was evident in the lack of scoring punch off the bench.
Injury woes have plagued Sacramento for months, with the team losing key players to season-ending surgeries and ailments since February. The absence of LaVine, Sabonis, and Hunter, in particular, has been devastating. The Kings endured a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak amid this adversity but had shown some resilience, going 7-7 from February 23 to March 22. However, against a red-hot Charlotte team, the lack of depth and experience was impossible to overcome.
For the Hornets, the victory was yet another sign that this young core is gaining momentum at just the right time. With a 38-34 record, Charlotte sits ninth in the Eastern Conference but remains just 2.5 games out of fifth place in a tightly packed playoff race. The win also extended their home winning streak to four games and showcased their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively. As noted, "The Hornets have won four straight games and six of their last seven games as of March 24, 2026."
Looking ahead, the Kings will try to regroup as they continue their road trip with a visit to the Orlando Magic on March 26. Orlando, currently eighth in the East, presents another tough challenge for a Sacramento squad still searching for answers amid a wave of injuries. The last time the Kings faced the Magic, they suffered a blowout loss as Orlando set a franchise record with 27 three-pointers.
Meanwhile, Charlotte’s faithful have plenty to celebrate. With Ball, White, and a supporting cast firing on all cylinders, the Hornets are surging at the most important time of the season. The franchise’s record-tying three-point performance and Ball’s continued ascent in team history have energized both the locker room and the city. With the playoff picture still wide open, the Hornets’ blend of youth, shooting, and confidence could make them a team to watch down the stretch.
As the regular season winds down, the Hornets’ convincing win over the Kings stands as a statement: Charlotte is not just chasing a playoff berth—they’re making noise, breaking records, and giving their fans plenty of reasons to believe.