Brandon Miller scored 21 points and the Charlotte Hornets held off a late push to beat the Washington Wizards 119–115 on Saturday, extending Washington’s losing streak to nine games.
Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball each finished with 20 points for Charlotte, while Kon Knueppel added 16 and Moussa Diabate chipped in 11. The Hornets won back-to-back games for the first time since early January, following consecutive victories over Chicago and Oklahoma City from Jan. 3–5.
Tre Johnson led Washington with career highs of 26 points and six assists, while Alex Sarr added 24 points in another encouraging showing for the rebuilding Wizards. Justin Champagnie and Bub Carrington scored 15 points apiece off the bench, Kyshawn George and Jamir Watkins had 11 each, and Champagnie also grabbed 11 rebounds. Rookie Will Riley made his first career start and finished with seven points in 23 minutes.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Washington started the youngest lineup by average age since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970–71. The Wizards’ opening five averaged just 20.64 years old, eclipsing the previous mark set by Oklahoma City in April 2021.
Charlotte took control in the second quarter after leading by one following the opening period. The Hornets outscored Washington 31–24 in the second to build a 66–58 halftime advantage and stretched the lead to 93–81 after three quarters.
Hot shooting fueled Charlotte’s early control. The Hornets went 24 of 40 (60%) from the field in the first half, including 10 of 16 (63%) from 3-point range, while Washington struggled to a 9-of-29 showing (31%) from deep over the first two quarters.
The Wizards mounted a late rally but couldn’t complete the comeback, falling to 10–34 and matching their second-longest losing streak of the season. Washington last won Jan. 6 against Orlando and previously endured a 14-game skid earlier this year.
The game’s tipoff was moved up six hours due to the forecast of a winter storm moving across the country.
Up next:
Wizards host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday to open a five-game homestand.
Hornets visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
