Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Watch: Brandon Miller's putback layup beats buzzer to lift Hornets over Pistons

By Colum Dell | Last updated Nov 6, 2024 11:04 PM ET

The Charlotte Hornets snapped a three-game losing streak on Wednesday, knocking off the Detroit Pistons on a buzzer-beating layup by forward Brandon Miller, who nearly cost them a win on their previous possession.

After trading buckets with Detroit throughout the fourth quarter, it appeared that Charlotte would hang on for a win, thanks to a go-ahead floater from All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball with 24.1 seconds remaining in regulation. However, Detroit cut the Hornets' lead to one point seconds later on a Jaden Ivey dunk.

The Pistons still had a foul to give and used it on Charlotte's next possession before double-teaming Miller. The ball was subsequently stripped from Miller by guard Malik Beasley, and rookie Ron Holland II secured it en route to hitting a clutch layup with 6.3 seconds remaining to give Detroit a 107-106 lead.

RON HOLLAND II PUTS DETROIT UP 1...

6.3 SECONDS... HORNETS BALL! https://t.co/KLkix2CCLA pic.twitter.com/rN1Ea2DBc2
— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2024

Hornets forward Miles Bridgers had trouble inbounding the ball on the other end of the court but connected with Cody Martin, who passed to Grant Williams for a potential game-winner. While Williams couldn't sink the 26-foot three-point attempt, his shot bounced perfectly off the rim and into the hands of a cutting Miller. The Alabama product quickly put the ball back up and off the backboard to clinch a 108-107 victory at the buzzer for Charlotte.

CRASH THE GLASS.
WIN THE GAME.

Brandon Miller gives the @hornets their 3rd win of the year at the buzzer!#TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness https://t.co/xveYCWLwkJ pic.twitter.com/aiONZvFCBD
— NBA (@NBA) November 7, 2024

Miller, the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, finished the contest with 19 points and six rebounds, both of which are season highs, to go along with four assists. The 21-year-old is only averaging 12.8 points on 35.4% shooting from the field after posting 17.3 PPG as a rookie, but a glute injury he suffered in Charlotte’s season-opener has contributed to his struggles.

Even so, perhaps his first career game-winner will provide Miller with the spark he needs to turn his shooting woes around. If he's able to do so, the Hornets should be firmly in play-in tournament contention this season.

Colum Dell

Colum is a Texas transplant, born and raised in New Jersey. In addition to being a West Virginia University alumnus, he is a long-suffering New York Giants, Knicks and Mets fan. He joined Yardbarker in November 2022 and has primarily covered the NFL since

More must-reads: