Hornets Top Spurs, Ride Into All-Star Break on Two-Game Winning Streak
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Hornets were without Terry Rozier (R Hand Sprain), but they were able to manage as they defeated the reeling San Antonio Spurs 120-110. This loss pushes San Antonio's losing streak to 14, the longest in franchise history. The previous streak of 13 occurred back in 1989.
Charlotte had a sloppy start to this one, turning the ball over five times in the first four minutes of the game, driving head coach Steve Clifford crazy. The Spurs cashed in on the extra possessions to jump out to a 16-6 lead. The Hornets finally settled in as LaMelo Ball and company knocked down a few threes.
Ball made history in the first quarter by becoming the 2nd youngest player to record 1,000 career points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists behind only LeBron James. He finished the first half with 10 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Had he notched one more rebound, he would have became the second player in franchise history to record a double-double in the first half. Gerald Wallace did it twice. With one more rebound and two more assists, Ball would have became just the fifth player in NBA history to record a triple-double in the first half.
2023 second round draft pick Bryce McGowens provided a spark off the bench, recording 11 points in the first half marking the second time he's hit double digits in a half. Svi Mykhailiuk made his Hornets debut and logged 14 minutes through two quarters and registered his first points in style with an alley-oop from LaMelo Ball.
Gregg Popovich was not fond of the opening sequence in the third quarter as Malakhi Branham missed a layup, resulting in a Dennis Smith Jr. dunk the other way. He called the fastest timeout I've ever seen, just 16 seconds into the half.
Charlotte pounded the ball inside to Mark Williams who collected eight points on 3/4 shots from the floor, helping create some separation. San Antonio did a good job of countering and not allowing the game to get out of reach every time the Hornets grew the lead to double digits.
The Hornets' defense won this game in the paint tallying 12 blocks (season high) as a team; Mark Williams (5), Nick Richards (4), and P.J. Washington (3).
The Hornets will head into the All-Star break with a 17-43 record, sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference. They'll resume play on February 24th for a quick one-game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves before returning for a four-game homestand.
1ST: 32-32
SA: 11/25 FG | 4/11 3FG | 11 REB | 7 AST | 1 TO | 16 PIP
CHA: 10/17 FG | 5/9 3FG | 11 REB | 6 AST | 5 TO | 8 PIP
2ND: CHA 60-57
SA: 21/54 FG | 9/22 3FG | 27 REB | 13 AST | 7 TO | 24 PIP
CHA: 23/53 FG | 7/16 3FG | 32 REB | 13 AST | 8 TO | 28 PIP
3RD: CHA 93-86
SA: 31/83 FG | 11/31 3FG | 44 REB | 20 AST | 10 TO | 38 PIP
CHA: 34/76 FG | 8/23 3FG | 46 REB | 18 AST | 10 TO | 46 PIP
4TH: CHA 120-110
SA: 41/107 FG | 13/38 3FG | 57 REB | 24 AST | 14 TO | 54 PIP
CHA: 43/96 FG | 14/35 3FG | 59 REB | 26 AST | 16 TO | 52 PIP
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