The Charlotte Hornets edged out the San Antonio Spurs 117-116 in a nail-biting finish on Friday night, thanks to Miles Bridges' clutch three-pointer. This game marked the first of two meetings this season between the struggling Hornets and the Spurs, who were hoping to build on their recent victory against the Atlanta Hawks.
Both teams came to the court with notable injury concerns. LaMelo Ball, the Hornets' star player, was questionable due to an ankle sprain, and Grant Williams was also out of commission because of ACL repair. Meanwhile, the Spurs had their own list of injured players: Charles Bassey, David Duke Jr., and Harrison Ingram among others were sidelined. Yet, the Spurs were thrilled to have De'Aaron Fox and rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama available for the game. Wembanyama, who has been averaging 24.6 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season, was expected to have a significant impact.
Throughout the game, the tension was palpable as both teams exchanged leads, but it was the Hornets who would shine at the end. LaMelo Ball contributed significantly with 24 points and 10 assists, marking his eighth double-double this season. Bridges not only led his team with 25 points but his last-minute three-pointer sealed the deal for Charlotte.
For the Spurs, Stephon Castle proved to be the star performer with 33 points—his career-high—alongside Wembanyama, who managed to record 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, marking his 15th game with five blocks this season. De’Aaron Fox also made his presence known on the court, scoring 25 points and assisting six times.
The match was filled with suspense as the Hornets fought back from trailing behind, showcasing resilience even with roster limitations. With both teams desperately vying for victory, the game reached its climax when Bridges sank the pivotal shot. The Spurs had their opportunities late, but missing key chances allowed the Hornets to secure the narrow victory.
The win improved the Hornets’ record to 13-36, providing them with a much-needed boost, albeit still holding last place in the Eastern Conference. The Spurs, now sitting at 22-27, faced disappointment after their expectations for this game grew after recent trades and performances.
The two teams will meet again later this season, which sets the stage for the Spurs to seek revenge and capitalize on their talent-laden roster to outmaneuver the Hornets. For now, both will address their respective challenges and refine their strategies as they aim for improvement moving forward.