The Charlotte Hornets made headlines on Friday night as they snapped their six-game losing streak by edging out the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 117-116. The game, held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, showcased the resilience of the Hornets, who overcame significant odds to secure their hard-fought victory.
Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 25 points, and his late-game heroics came at just the right moment. With only 1.4 seconds left on the clock, Bridges received the ball after LaMelo Ball drove the lane, finding his teammate wide open. He calmly sank a three-pointer from the corner, sending the home crowd wild. This clutch shot sealed the game and ended the Hornets' recent struggles.
The contest was intense, and the Spurs found themselves trailing by as much as 19 points at one stage. Despite their considerable deficit, San Antonio made one last push to nearly steal victory away from Charlotte. De’Aaron Fox, who has quickly become one of the stars of the Spurs, played valiantly throughout the game. He finished with 22 points, hitting big shots when they mattered most—including pulling the Spurs to lead late.
Just when it seemed the Spurs would have the last laugh, Fox took the ball and appeared to hit the winning three-pointer at the buzzer. The moment was electric, but the referees had gathered to review the play and ruled Fox did not get the shot off in time. This controversial call left the Spurs with another disappointing loss, leaving them and their fans wondering what might have been.
For the Spurs, rookie Stephon Castle was impressive, scoring a career-high 33 points off the bench. He shot 10-of-15 from the floor and demonstrated his scoring prowess—skills he is becoming known for after being named Rookie of the Month. Castle’s offensive outburst was important, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Hornets' late-game execution.
Victor Wembanyama, another bright spot for the Spurs, contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, but he struggled to find his rhythm throughout the game. He has been under the weather recently, which seemed to impact his performance on Friday. This game saw the Hornets attacking him strategically, exploiting matchups effectively to help secure their points.
LaMelo Ball also had himself quite the night, returning after missing five games due to injury and dropping 24 points alongside 10 assists. His playmaking abilities, especially coveted during crunch time, were pivotal, as demonstrated by the find to Bridges for the game-winner. Nick Smith Jr. followed up with 19 points, continuing his streak of solid performances, helping to demonstrate the depth within the Hornets' roster.
Looking at the statistics, the Hornets showcased impressive shooting, hitting 46.5% from the field and even sharper from beyond the arc, making 17 three-pointers throughout the game at 44.7% shooting from three-point range. This kind of shooting efficiency is what the Hornets had been missing during their losing streak, proving why they are still competitive even when down players due to injuries.
On the other hand, the Spurs were less effective on the boards, managing just 38 rebounds as compared to Charlotte’s 53. This disparity was reflected heavily by the second-chance points, where the Hornets scored 27 to the Spurs' mere nine. That struggle on the glass was indicative of the challenges the Spurs faced throughout the game.
Head coach Mitch Johnson will have to address his squad's performance on the boards if they hope to see success as they continue on their Rodeo Road Trip. Their next matchup will be against the Orlando Magic, which will be another test as they try to shake off the disappointment from this narrow loss.
Meanwhile, the Hornets will look to build on this momentum as they head on the road to face the Detroit Pistons. This victory not only lifted their spirits; it also showcased their potential as they received reinforcement and new acquisitions aimed at improving their current squad.
This thrilling contest served as another reminder of how competitive the NBA can be. Every second counts, and for both the Hornets and the Spurs, every game tells the story of resilience and the pursuit of victory.