LaMelo Ball scored 24 points and shook off an early injury scare as the Charlotte Hornets erased a 22-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 102-95 on Monday night, extending their winning streak to seven games.
Ball briefly left in the first quarter after colliding head-to-head with coach Charles Lee while diving to save a loose ball, suffering an eye laceration. He returned minutes later and set the tone for the comeback, scoring 18 first-half points despite Charlotte trailing 64-49 at the break. The Hornets struggled early, shooting just 7 of 30 from 3-point range and committing 10 first-half turnovers, but regrouped after halftime.
Kon Knueppel added 17 points and knocked down four 3-pointers, while Brandon Miller and Grant Williams each scored 16 for Charlotte, which matched its longest winning streak since March 2016. The Hornets overcame 17 turnovers and climbed within a half-game of Atlanta for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte seized control in the fourth quarter, taking its first lead on Ball’s blow-by drive and two-handed dunk. The Hornets stretched the advantage to nine when Miller, fresh off being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, stripped Herbert Jones at midcourt and finished with a soaring one-handed dunk.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 27 points as the Pelicans dropped their sixth game in the past nine. Zion Williamson posted 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Derik Queen added 16 points, but New Orleans couldn’t hold its sizable early cushion.
Up next:
Up next, the Pelicans visit Milwaukee on Wednesday night, while the Hornets head to Houston on Thursday night.
