Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Three-point onslaught gets Hornets back to winning ways

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Feb 22, 2026 9:14 PM ET

Life has been tough for the Charlotte Hornets after losing two of their starters, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, to identical four-game suspensions.

Charlotte entered Sunday 1-2 without Bridges and Diabate, but a team-wide three-point onslaught got the Hornets off a two-game losing streak and back to their winning ways.

LaMelo Ball was magnificent in the Charlotte Hornets win

LaMelo Ball was the star of the show in Charlotte's 129-112 win over the Washington Wizards. Ball played what could very well be considered the best game of his professional career.

Ball tallied 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 27 minutes played. He knocked down 10 three-pointers, tying a franchise record with four former Hornets. Most impressive of all, Ball did not commit a turnover, the first time that's happened in a game since Jan. 2.

Kon Knueppel (28 points) and Brandon Miller (22 points) each knocked down five three-pointers, meaning the trio of Ball, Knueppel and Miller combined to knock down 20 of the 25 made threes for the Hornets in Sunday's win.

LaMelo Ball (37 PTS) just hit 4 3s in 99 SECONDS

He has 10 3PM, tying the Hornets franchise record for most triples in a game! pic.twitter.com/4PZGP62PO1
— NBA (@NBA) February 23, 2026

Hornets have continued to win on the road

With the win in Washington on Sunday, Charlotte collected its seventh straight win on the road. The last road loss for the Hornets came in a one-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in early January.

Charlotte has not suffered a double-digit road loss since mid-December when it suffered a 26-point road loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The returns of Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate will be massive

Both Bridges and Diabate have now served their four-game suspensions. They will both be eligible to return on Tuesday when Charlotte travels to Chicago for a key matchup against the Chicago Bulls.

If the Hornets are able to pick up where they left off before two members of their starting five were suspended, playoff basketball could soon be returning to Charlotte.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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