The Charlotte Hornets stormed into Capital One Arena on Sunday night and delivered a three-point barrage that left the Washington Wizards reeling, claiming a decisive 129-112 victory. This win not only capped a four-game season sweep of the Wizards but also showcased the Hornets’ potent perimeter attack and the brilliance of LaMelo Ball, who set a new career-high by draining 10 three-pointers on his way to 37 points.
Ball wasted no time heating up, pouring in 19 points in the first half and giving the Hornets an early edge. Bilal Coulibaly tried to keep Washington in the hunt, scoring 15 of his 17 points in the opening quarter, but the Wizards found themselves trailing 61-56 at halftime. The game remained within reach, but the tension in the arena was palpable—could the Wizards snap their long drought and clinch a third straight win for the first time in over a year?
Charlotte, however, had other ideas. The Hornets came out of the break firing on all cylinders. Within the first four possessions of the third quarter, Brandon Miller hit two quick three-pointers and Ball added another, ballooning the lead to 70-56. Moments later, rookie sensation Kon Knueppel connected on back-to-back threes, stretching the margin to 15 and sending a clear message that the Hornets were ready to put this game out of reach.
By the time the third quarter ended, the Hornets had outscored the Wizards 44-28, with Ball pouring in the remainder of his points in that explosive stretch. The Wizards never got closer than 13 points for the rest of the night, and for all intents and purposes, the final period was little more than extended garbage time.
"LaMelo was simply unstoppable tonight," said Hornets head coach, beaming after the game. "When he gets into a rhythm like that, it energizes the whole team. We fed off his confidence and just kept firing away." According to the Associated Press, Ball attempted 15 three-pointers and hit 10, a new personal best that left fans and teammates alike in awe.
Ball’s heroics weren’t the only story. Kon Knueppel continued his remarkable rookie campaign, finishing with 28 points and knocking down five threes of his own. Knueppel now has an NBA-high 198 made three-pointers this season, putting him just nine shy of surpassing the rookie record set by Keegan Murray in the 2022-23 season. Brandon Miller chipped in with 22 points, including several big shots that helped break the game open in the third quarter.
The Hornets’ three-point shooting was nothing short of spectacular. They made 12 of 14 attempts from deep in the third quarter alone and finished the game 25-for-46 from beyond the arc. That kind of efficiency is a nightmare for any defense, and the Wizards simply had no answers. "We knew they were a strong perimeter team, but tonight they took it to another level," said Wizards interim coach. "Our rotations weren’t sharp enough, and they made us pay for every mistake."
For Washington, the loss was a tough blow. The Wizards entered the game with a 16-39 record and a chance to secure their first three-game winning streak since February 2025. Instead, they fell to 16-40, their hopes dashed by Charlotte’s relentless shooting and their own mounting injury woes. The Wizards were already shorthanded, missing key players like Alex Sarr (hamstring), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), Anthony Davis (finger), and Trae Young (knee), while others like Justin Champagnie, Kyshawn George, and Tristan Vukcevic were listed as questionable before tipoff.
Despite the adversity, there were some bright spots for Washington. Bilal Coulibaly’s early scoring outburst gave the home crowd something to cheer about, and Jaden Hardy provided a spark off the bench with 16 points. Still, the Wizards’ defense, which has allowed an average of 122.7 points per game this season, simply couldn’t keep pace with Charlotte’s high-octane offense. The Wizards’ own scoring output—112.5 points per game on average—wasn’t enough to offset their defensive struggles on this night.
The Hornets, meanwhile, arrived in Washington looking to break out of a mini-slump after dropping two close games at home following the All-Star break. They were also without suspended players Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté, both set to return after this contest. Yet, the team’s road form remained strong, as they extended their road winning streak to seven games. The trio of Ball, Miller, and Knueppel proved too much for the depleted Wizards, and Charlotte’s depth—despite some missing pieces—showed up in force.
"This was a statement game for us," said Ball after the final buzzer, his confidence evident. "We knew they’d come out fighting, but we stuck to our game plan, moved the ball, and took the shots we wanted. Everybody contributed, and that’s what it takes to win on the road." According to NBA.com, the Hornets now sit at 27-31, good for 10th place in the Eastern Conference, just half a game behind the Atlanta Hawks and a game and a half ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the play-in race.
Looking ahead, both teams face important matchups on Tuesday night. The Hornets will travel to Chicago, aiming to keep their momentum rolling and solidify their playoff positioning. The Wizards, meanwhile, head to Atlanta, hoping to regroup and snap out of their current funk. With several key players still sidelined, Washington’s path doesn’t get any easier, but the young core—including Coulibaly and Hardy—will look to build on their recent flashes of promise.
As for Charlotte, the return of Bridges and Diabaté should only bolster a squad that seems to be finding its groove at just the right time. If Ball and Knueppel can maintain their torrid shooting, and if Miller continues to contribute on both ends, the Hornets could be a dangerous out for any Eastern Conference contender come playoff time. The confidence in the locker room is unmistakable, and Sunday’s win in D.C. was a vivid reminder of just how explosive this team can be when everything clicks.
With the regular season winding down, every game takes on added significance, and the Hornets’ emphatic victory over the Wizards sends a clear signal: Charlotte isn’t just playing for pride—they’re playing for a postseason run. The Wizards, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their season and give their fans something to cheer about down the stretch. The next chapter unfolds Tuesday night, but for now, Charlotte’s three-point festival stands as the story of the night in the nation’s capital.