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Charlotte Hornets Rally Past Wizards Behind LaMelo Ball’s Triple-Double Magic

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By David Desa | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 9:34 AM ET

There are nights in the NBA when everything clicks, and today was one of those days for the Charlotte Hornets. When the ball finds the open man, shots fall like rain, and one player orchestrates it all with the kind of brilliance that reminds you why you fell in love with basketball in the first place.

Saturday night in Washington was one of those nights for the Charlotte Hornets.

Down by double digits at halftime and staring at the possibility of dropping their second straight game, the Hornets spectacularly flipped the script, erupting for 88 second-half points to demolish the Washington Wizards 139-113. And at the center of it all was LaMelo Ball, who put on a show that had everyone in Capital One Arena—friend and foe alike—shaking their heads in disbelief.

LaMelo Ball Takes Over When It Matters Most

Ball finished with 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, notching his 11th career triple-double and his first since November 5, 2023. But the stat line alone doesn’t capture what happened out there. This wasn’t just a good game. This was a statement.

Trailing 62-51 at the break, the Hornets needed someone to step up. Ball answered the call with the kind of performance that separates good players from great ones. He controlled the tempo, found his teammates in rhythm, and when Washington tried to make things interesting, he buried them with daggers from beyond the arc.

His 3-pointer midway through the third quarter gave Charlotte the lead for good, and from there, it was all downhill for the Wizards. Ball’s court vision was on full display as he distributed the ball with precision, setting up Miles Bridges for a corner three that sealed his triple-double. The pass was pure instinct, threaded through traffic with the kind of touch that can’t be taught.

“That’s what he does,” Bridges said after the game. “When he’s locked in like that, we’re tough to beat.”

Rookie Kon Knueppel Provides the Spark

While Ball was the headliner, rookie forward Kon Knueppel deserves just as much credit for igniting the Charlotte Hornets’ third-quarter explosion. The No. 4 pick in June’s draft had been solid through the first half, but he came alive when the Hornets needed him most, scoring 11 of his 20 points during a blistering stretch that turned the game on its head.

Knueppel attacked the rim with aggression, knocked down open jumpers, and played with the kind of confidence you don’t often see from first-year players. His energy was contagious, and it set the tone for what became a dominant second-half performance.

“I just tried to stay ready,” Knueppel said. “Coach told me to be aggressive, and my teammates kept finding me in good spots.”

He wasn’t the only one getting hot. Sion James, who had been quiet in the first half, caught fire in the third, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers that capped a 19-4 run and sent the Wizards reeling. James finished with 13 points, all coming after halftime, and his shooting helped blow the game wide open.

Miles Bridges and Collin Sexton Add Firepower

Miles Bridges chipped in 22 points, while Collin Sexton added 20, giving the Hornets the kind of balanced attack that’s been missing in recent seasons. Charlotte shot an absurd 67.4% in the second half, including 12-of-16 from beyond the arc. When you’re shooting like that, there’s not much the other team can do.

The fourth quarter was a formality. The Hornets outscored Washington 44-25 down the stretch, putting an exclamation point on what had been a frustrating first half.

Washington’s Early Lead Fades Fast

The Wizards came out strong, taking a 62-51 halftime lead behind 17 first-half points from big man Alex Sarr, who finished with 21. CJ McCollum added 24 points, and rookie guard Tre Johnson scored 18 in his home debut. But once the Charlotte Hornets found its rhythm, Washington had no answers.

The Wizards’ defense, which had held Charlotte to just 38.7% shooting in the first half, completely fell apart after the break. They couldn’t rotate fast enough, couldn’t contest shots, and couldn’t stop Ball from carving them up with his passing.

“We just lost our discipline,” Washington’s head coach admitted. “They got comfortable, and we made it too easy.”

Kyshawn George, who had dropped a career-high 34 points against Dallas just a night earlier, was held to just six points. The quick turnaround seemed to catch up with the Wizards, who looked gassed in the second half.

What This Win Means for Charlotte

This victory was more than just a bounce-back effort for the Charlotte Hornets. It was a reminder of what this team can be when everything comes together. Ball is a generational talent, and performances like this show why Charlotte’s front office remains committed to building around him.

The emergence of Knueppel is another bright spot. If he continues to develop, the Hornets could have a dynamic one-two punch for years to come. And with Bridges and Sexton providing consistent scoring, this team has the pieces to compete in the Eastern Conference.

Brandon Miller’s absence due to a shoulder injury was noticeable, but the Charlotte Hornets didn’t let it derail them. Depth will be key as the season progresses, and Saturday’s win showed they have enough talent to weather injuries.

For Washington, this was a tough loss, but the season is long. They’ll have chances to bounce back. For the Charlotte Hornets, this was the kind of win that can change the trajectory of a season.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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