Hornets Sting Hawks for 9th Straight Win

But Bridges didn’t do it alone. The emergence of rookie Kon Knueppel continues to be one of the season’s best storylines. The youngster poured in 23 points, playing with a poise that betrayed his lack of NBA experience. Watching Knueppel operate, you forget he’s a rookie. He moves with purpose, shoots with confidence, and has quickly become a pillar of this Hornets offense.

LaMelo Ball: The conductor of the chaos

Then, of course, there is LaMelo.

Finishing with 19 points and nine assists, Ball played the role of conductor perfectly. He controlled the tempo, finding open shooters and collapsing the defense with his trademark flair. But more importantly, he showed maturity. In the closing minutes, with the game on the line and the crowd roaring, Ball was calm. He hit crucial free throws down the stretch to ice the game, proving that his game is evolving beyond just highlights—he’s learning how to close.

The chemistry between Ball, Bridges, and Brandon Miller (who added 16 points) is palpable. They are playing for each other, moving the ball unselfishly, and celebrating each other’s success. That energy is infectious, and it’s clearly translating to the win column.

A Battle of Wills in Atlanta

Credit must be given to the Hawks. They didn’t roll over.

Down by five with under two minutes to play, Atlanta fought back. Dyson Daniels provided a spark with a ferocious dunk, and Jalen Johnson—who was arguably the best player on the floor for stretches—hit free throws to cut the lead to a single point with 26 seconds left. The tension in the arena was thick.

But unlike Hornets teams of the past, which might have crumbled under that pressure, this group stood tall. They made their free throws. They got the critical stops. Moussa Diabate was a monster on the glass, pulling down 15 rebounds and ensuring that Charlotte won the battle of the boards decisively, 49-30. That rebounding advantage was the difference-maker, preventing Atlanta from getting the second-chance points they desperately needed.

Looking Ahead: A Franchise Revitalized

Charlotte is now 12-3 in their last 15 games. They aren’t just winning; they are dominating stretches of games and closing out close ones.

“We all understand there’s still a lot more work to be done,” Head Coach Charles Lee said, keeping his team grounded. But even he had to acknowledge the significance of the moment.

The Hornets are no longer the “team of the future.” The future has arrived. With a four-game homestand coming up, starting against Detroit, the buzz in Charlotte is about to get a whole lot louder.

For the first time in a long time, the Hornets aren’t just playing basketball; they’re playing winning basketball.