Tag: Charlotte Hornets

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NBA (Basketball)

In Charlotte, Terry Rozier chooses not to comment on the investigation, stating he won’t let it affect his focus on basketball

Terry Rozier shoots over Herbert Jones in the 1st quarter

Terry Rozier declined to comment on Friday about the investigations by federal prosecutors into unusual betting patterns related to his play in a 2023 game with the Charlotte Hornets.

Rozier, now with the Miami Heat, is connected to the same investigation that led to former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter being banned for life from the NBA. Porter is also facing criminal charges and has pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Porter is waiting for his sentencing, but there is no indication that Rozier is under criminal investigation or has been charged.

“On advice from counsel, I can’t answer any questions about that matter,” Rozier said on Friday. “So, I won’t.”

The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation about the Hornets-New Orleans game on March 23, 2023, involving Rozier. In that game, Rozier played for 9 1/2 minutes before leaving with what was described as foot discomfort and not returning. He did not play again for the Hornets that season.

The NBA said it previously looked into the situation and found no violations of league rules. It confirmed on Thursday that the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York is investigating, and the league is “cooperating with that investigation.”

Rozier, who is averaging 12.1 points per game this season, will continue to play for the Heat. Miami starts a road trip at San Antonio on Saturday.

“His status is still the same,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about Rozier on Friday.

Rozier said he is “in a great headspace” and does not expect the investigation to affect his focus on basketball.

Terry Rozier (NBA)

“It’s kind of always been easy. It’s kind of been my life,” Rozier said. “You know, once I get in between them lines, I can block out anything. So, it’ll be pretty easy for me. I’m around a great group of guys. We’ve got a great locker room, great staff, so it’s easy for me.”

In the March 23 game, Rozier had five points, four rebounds, and two assists in the first quarter, which was below his usual total for a full game.

Social media posts from that day show that some bettors were upset with sportsbooks when it became clear that Rozier would not return to the game after the first quarter. Many questioned why Rozier’s stats were affected by his early exit, especially since some sportsbooks had removed his prop bets hours before the game, without clear explanation. Rozier had not been listed on the injury report for that game.

Rozier, 30, is in the third year of a four-year, $96.3 million contract.

Porter’s ban came after an investigation into his performance and “prop bets,” where bettors choose whether a player will meet certain statistical targets during a game. The investigation began when the league learned about unusual betting patterns from “licensed sports betting operators and an organization that monitors legal betting markets” regarding Porter’s performance in a March 20, 2024, game against Sacramento.

The league determined that Porter had shared his health status with a bettor before the game. That person placed an $80,000 bet that Porter would not reach his set numbers, a bet that could have won $1.1 million.

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NBA (Basketball)

Hornets Look To Keep Momentum Going As Lakers Visit Charlotte

Charlotte Hornets (NBA)

The Charlotte Hornets are eager to keep their momentum going, and much of their success depends on the players available for the game.

A nearly full roster will be crucial when the Hornets host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

“There’s a lot of talk about just trying to keep our foot on the gas and not let up,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee.

The Lakers are coming off a 118-108 win against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday and are on a three-game winning streak, their first in a month. The Hornets have won four of their last six games.

Charlotte recently saw some changes in its roster, with Miles Bridges, LaMelo Ball, and Seth Curry all returning for Saturday’s 123-92 win against the New Orleans Pelicans, after missing a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers the night before due to injuries.

Center Mark Williams missed the Pelicans game because of foot soreness.

While things are looking positive, there’s no certainty about what the injury report will say heading into Monday’s game.

Ball, the team’s leading scorer with 28.9 points per game, has been Charlotte’s top scorer in six of their past nine games, even though he missed one of those games. His impact is huge when he’s on the court.

“We have asked him to play a little bit faster,” Lee said. “Try to play with more pace. Our attack guy needs to be more aggressive to try to flatten the defense and put us in more advantage situations and he has flourished in that environment.”

Anthony Davis leads the Lakers with 25.9 points and 11.9 rebounds. He played one of his best games of the season on Saturday against the Warriors, scoring 36 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Anthony Davis (NBA)

Davis and LeBron James (23.7 points, 9.0 assists) are the main stars for the Lakers, but the team relies on other players as well. Jared Vanderbilt, who was dealing with a knee injury, made his season debut on Saturday. He contributed four rebounds, two points, and two assists in 12 minutes.

“Vando was awesome, did all the things that we need him to do,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. “I have a strong sense that he has been sandbagging over the last three weeks (at practice) just in terms of his intensity level… We have not seen that in the gym, and it looked like the Vando that we know.”

Vanderbilt’s energy will be helpful in away games.

“He plays hard every single possession,” said teammate Austin Reaves. “He’s going to give us second-chance opportunities. We’re going to get more steals with him out there because he’s so active.”

The Lakers ended a three-game road losing streak on Saturday. The game in Charlotte is the start of a stretch of four games in six nights on the East Coast.

Charlotte has gone 1-1 so far on a nine-game homestand that continues until February 7. The easy victory over New Orleans on Saturday was a rare chance for the team to dominate from start to finish.

“Our intensity level, our focus, didn’t waver,” Lee said.

Without Williams, the Hornets got strong contributions from Moussa Diabate, who grabbed 13 rebounds off the bench. It also gave DaQuan Jeffries an opportunity to play 27 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The Hornets tied a franchise record by having nine players hit at least one 3-pointer. They made 21 total 3-pointers, shooting 42% from beyond the arc.

“We just put the work in,” Bridges said. “Everybody is playing with confidence. As long as we do that, we’ll give ourselves a chance every day.”

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NBA (Basketball)

The Charlotte Hornets will broadcast five home games this season on free over-the-air television

LaMelo Ball adjusts his arm band in the 2nd half

For the first time since the 2007-08 season, the Charlotte Hornets will broadcast games on free over-the-air television for local audiences.

The Hornets, along with Gray Media, Capitol Broadcasting, and FanDuel Sports Southeast, announced on Tuesday that they will simulcast five games. These games will be available in various markets across the Carolinas through the Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network and other Gray affiliates. Capitol Broadcasting will distribute the games in the Raleigh area.

Broadcast Details

In the Charlotte market, the games will be shown on WSOC-TV Channel 9 and TV 64.

LaMelo Ball takes a free throw in the 1st half

Scheduled Games

The five games being broadcast are:

  • January 27 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
  • January 31 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
  • February 5 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
  • February 27 vs. Dallas Mavericks
  • March 3 vs. Golden State Warriors, featuring Charlotte native Stephen Curry.

Hornets’ Commitment to Fans

“We’re excited to partner with Gray Media’s Palmetto Sports & Entertainment Network to make our FanDuel Sports Southeast broadcasts available to a wider audience across the Carolinas,” said Shelly Cayette-Weston, Hornets president of business operations. “As an organization, we remain committed to growing our fanbase, extending the reach of our TV audience, and making our broadcasts more accessible to all.”

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NBA (Basketball)

LaMelo’s standout performance shines with a ‘fantastic’ reunion with his brother Lonzo in Chicago

Lonzo Ball takes the ball forward

Lonzo Ball said that playing against his brother, LaMelo Ball, is always special, but Friday night’s game felt even more significant. The game ended with a 125-123 victory for the Charlotte Hornets, marking the first time the two brothers had shared an NBA court since November 29, 2021.

This game was particularly special for the Ball family because it had been 1,145 days since the brothers last faced off, and their middle brother, LiAngelo, was also in the stands. LiAngelo had just signed a new record deal.

“It would’ve been a lot better if we won,” Lonzo said, laughing after the Bulls’ loss. “Playing him, it’s definitely bigger than most games for me, just because he is my little brother, man, and I grew up playing with him my whole life.”

The long break between their matchups comes after both brothers have struggled with injuries in recent years. LaMelo has not played more than 36 games in each of the last two seasons, and he missed the first two matchups between the teams this season.

However, LaMelo has played the Bulls four times since that 2021 game. Lonzo, on the other hand, missed 2½ years due to multiple knee injuries before making his return this season.

“The journey was amazing too,” LaMelo said about his brother’s return. “The whole family, it’s always amazing whenever I see both my brothers. Great times.”

LaMelo Ball looks to shoot the ball

Lonzo finished with 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting, along with 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. He was part of the closing lineup for Chicago during their comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.

Charlotte had a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but the Bulls responded with a 14-3 run before ultimately falling short. The Bulls have now lost four straight games. LaMelo led the Hornets with 26 points and 9 assists.

“To see the growth has been amazing,” Lonzo said about his younger brother.

Both teams had an off day on Thursday, which allowed the Ball brothers to enjoy dinner together in Chicago before the game. Lonzo cherished this moment, as each brother is currently finding success in his own way. LiAngelo is seeing success in the music world, having produced the first hit rap single of 2025.

“He’s big time right now,” Lonzo joked. “Those rappers are a little different, man.”

LaMelo is leading the league in All-Star voting for guards, and Lonzo is playing important minutes for the Bulls after sitting out nearly three years and undergoing a groundbreaking cartilage replacement surgery.

“We do what we always do when we see each other, just kicking at the crib, man,” Lonzo said. “We kids again, to be honest. Pulled up, I had a chef cook for us, got some good food and just chilled all night.”

After the game, there was plenty of playful competition and trash talk between the brothers. When they met after the final buzzer, Lonzo reminded LaMelo that their head-to-head record was now tied. LaMelo didn’t agree.

“Our record is 2-2, so I mean he can’t be too happy about that,” Lonzo said. “But to him, it’s 3-1 his way. I don’t know how that guy thinks sometimes.”

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NBA (Basketball)

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller will be out indefinitely due to a torn ligament in his wrist

Brandon Miller drives to the basket agaisnt Bradley Beal in the 1st half

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller, who is the team’s second-leading scorer, will be out indefinitely due to a torn ligament in his right wrist.

Miller, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, was unable to play in Charlotte’s 125-123 win against Chicago on Friday night. The team first labeled it as a “wrist sprain,” but later revealed that Miller has a torn ligament in his wrist.

The injury occurred during the Hornets’ victory over Utah on Wednesday night, and Miller underwent an MRI to assess the damage. The team has said it will provide more updates about his condition when necessary.

“It’s one of those bittersweet things where you’re happy for the victory, but unfortunate news on Brandon,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee. “I think we’ll continue to evaluate where he is and do as much testing as we can. We’ll just kind of have to band together and help him through his rehab.”

Brandon Miller drives to the basket against Walker Kessler in the 2nd quarter

The 22-year-old Miller, who played one season at Alabama before turning professional, is averaging 21 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 34.2 minutes per game in 27 games this season. He was also a finalist for Rookie of the Year last season, finishing third in the voting.

“That definitely hurts,” said teammate LaMelo Ball. “I was in the same kind of situation my rookie year or sophomore year or whatever. He’s with the whole squad, so that will help a little. I remember my situation, just being around with the guys. It’s tough times though.”

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FEATURED

The Charlotte Hornets look to make trades to recover from recent challenges in Charlotte

Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets had a tough time against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night. Cleveland, with a 31-5 record, dominated the Hornets’ big men in the first half of the game.

Because of Charlotte’s struggles inside, head coach Charles Lee decided to bring in veteran forward Taj Gibson, who hadn’t played much recently. Despite his effort, Gibson couldn’t make a big impact on the stat sheet, while Cleveland’s big men, Allen and Mobley, combined for 36 points and 16 rebounds on 15-23 shooting, easily overpowering the Hornets’ front line.

A key point in this game was the limited playing time for backup center Nick Richards. Mark Williams’ return to form has led to a decrease in Richards’ minutes, and Richards has not been as effective as he was earlier in the season when Williams was sidelined.

Richards played only eight minutes in this game, his lowest of the season. This could be a sign that the Hornets may consider trading him before the trade deadline. Since Charlotte drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft, Richards has been a part of trade rumors.

His size (7’0″, 245 lbs) and solid two-way play make him a potential target for teams looking for depth, especially those in the Western Conference, where teams face strong centers like Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Anthony Davis. Teams like Golden State, Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers might be interested in Richards.

LaMelo Ball’s Foul Issues Keep Undermining His Potential and the Charlotte Hornets’ Late-Game Success
LaMelo Ball’s Foul Issues Keep Undermining His Potential and the Charlotte Hornets’ Late-Game Success

Another player who saw limited minutes on Sunday was Vasilije Micic. He played just five minutes, his lowest this season, after being an important part of the rotation earlier in the year. Micic has had his playing time reduced in recent games, with K.J. Simpson and Nick Smith Jr. getting more time in the backcourt.

Nick Smith Jr. stood out in the game against the Cavaliers. The 20-year-old, making his first extended appearance since December 7th, scored 18 points on 7-12 shooting. Smith Jr. impressed with his ball-handling and smooth jumper, helping the Hornets’ offense during the second and third quarters. His performance earned him more playing time over the veteran Micic.

Like Richards, Micic has also been part of trade rumors since the summer. Could he join his fellow countryman Nikola Jokic in Denver? Or perhaps he might head to Minnesota to back up Mike Conley Jr.? It remains to be seen, but if Micic continues to see limited minutes, his name will likely remain in trade talks as the deadline approaches on February 6th.

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NBA (Basketball)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder target the Hornets

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (NBA)

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets look very different going into their game on Saturday night.

The Thunder have won four straight games since losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup final.

“It’s the extra plays that put you over the edge,” said Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “We know that. We have a bunch of players that are hungry to do that.”

The Thunder had a big second half to beat Indiana 120-114 on Thursday, led by Gilgeous-Alexander’s career-high-tying 45 points. Nine of those points came in the final minute, including a key 3-pointer.

“That’s what the work is about,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It went in because I took the shot. I’d like to think I’ve grown a bit. Trusting my work. It’s about continuing to push forward.”

Gilgeous-Alexander has been the top scorer for the Thunder in seven of the last eight games, including back-to-back 40-plus-point games. His latest performance was one of his best.

“That was a masterpiece,” said Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault. “He just had total control.”

Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring average is now 31.1 points per game, ranking second in the league. Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball is fourth at 30.1.

The Hornets have lost six straight games and 14 of their last 15. Their latest loss came on Thursday, a 113-110 defeat at Washington, a team with fewer wins than Charlotte’s seven.

“We’re going through a little bit of adversity right now, and I think this group is banding together,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee. “They’re competing harder and learning how to get through it. I have total faith that we will continue to push through and keep getting better every day.”

Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets

Miles Bridges or Ball have been the Hornets’ top scorer in four of the last five games. Ball has scored more than 30 points twice since returning from an injury.

The Hornets are starting to get back some of their post players with Mark Williams and Nick Richards both playing. However, Bridges has been leading the team in rebounding, grabbing the most boards in three of the last five games.

Williams has played in eight games— all losses— since missing October and November while recovering from an injury. His 16-point performance on 8-for-11 shooting in 26 minutes at Washington is a sign of hope.

Richards’ role has been reduced, as he has played no more than 17 minutes in five of his last six games.

Brandon Miller appears to be back in the regular rotation for the Hornets. He scored 18 points in 36 minutes at Washington, although he was just 6-for-21 shooting.

“Defensively, he’ll give us a boost,” Lee said. “Offensively, with his ability to shoot… I think he’s one of the better catch-and-shoot players on our team and he’s always able to create and play-make for other guys.”

Miller has only played three games in the past two and a half weeks, shooting 9-for-34 on 3-pointers in those games.

Four of Oklahoma City’s last six opponents have scored fewer than 100 points. The Hornets have scored more than 110 points only once in their last six games.

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NBA (Basketball)

Houston Rockets Dominate Hornets for Third Straight Win Behind Jabari Smith Jr.’s Double-Double

Houston Rockets Dominate Hornets for Third Straight Win Behind Jabari Smith Jr.'s Double-Double
Houston Rockets Dominate Hornets for Third Straight Win Behind Jabari Smith Jr.'s Double-Double

The Houston Rockets secured their third consecutive win by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 114-101 on Monday night. Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with a double-double, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet contributed 20 points. The Rockets displayed a balanced offensive effort, with Amen Thompson adding 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Cam Whitmore coming off the bench to score 17 points. The Rockets’ strong second-half performance saw them build a commanding 34-point lead.

The Rockets’ young players delivered a standout performance, with Thompson’s energy and Whitmore’s scoring helping Houston dominate throughout. Defensively, they stifled the Hornets, holding Charlotte to just 15 points in the first quarter and a dismal 1-for-11 from three-point range. By halftime, the Rockets led 62-31, capped by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from VanVleet. The Hornets faced a hostile response from their home crowd as they headed to the locker room amidst boos.

Houston Rockets Dominate Hornets for Third Straight Win Behind Jabari Smith Jr.'s Double-Double
Houston Rockets Dominate Hornets for Third Straight Win Behind Jabari Smith Jr.’s Double-Double

For the struggling Hornets, Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball were bright spots, scoring 24 and 23 points, respectively. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the team’s broader issues, as Charlotte has now lost 13 of their last 14 games. Their shooting woes continued, particularly in the first half, where they shot an abysmal 2-for-20 from beyond the arc, with a mix of poor execution and Houston’s tight defense contributing to the struggle.

The Rockets also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Hornets 59-44, which underscored their physicality and control of the game. In one notable sequence, Houston grabbed multiple offensive rebounds on a single possession, leading to three three-point attempts. The game’s highlight came in the fourth quarter when Thompson drove the length of the floor and finished with a spectacular two-handed dunk, further energizing the Rockets.

Looking ahead, both teams are on the road Thursday night. The Rockets will travel to New Orleans to face the Pelicans, while the Hornets head to Washington to take on the Wizards, hoping to reverse their dismal run of form. The Rockets’ continued growth and dominant play highlight their potential as a rising team, while the Hornets face mounting challenges in turning their season around.

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FEATURED

Jordan Poole’s 3-pointer saves Wizards after blowing big lead against Hornets

Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets

Jordan Poole made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.7 seconds remaining, and the Washington Wizards came from behind to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 113-110 on Thursday night, despite losing a 21-point lead in the first half.

Poole’s 3-pointer gave the Wizards a 112-110 lead, and then Charlotte’s Brandon Miller missed a long-range shot with six seconds left. Justin Champagnie grabbed the rebound and made one of two free throws, as the Wizards closed the game on a 13-4 run.

Poole led Washington with 25 points, and Bilal Coulibaly added 20. Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards, who now have five wins this season, two of which came against Charlotte.

LaMelo Ball led the Hornets with 31 points but was scoreless in the fourth quarter. Miles Bridges added 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Miller scored 18. The Hornets have now lost six straight games and 14 of their last 15.

Vasilije Micic made two 3-pointers, and Tidjane Salaun also hit one as the Hornets opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 96.

Bridges’ alley-oop layup gave Charlotte its first lead since the first quarter at 101-100, with 7:38 remaining. Mark Williams’ dunk soon extended the lead to 106-100 with 4:33 left.

Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards

The Wizards then went on a 7-0 run, with Carlton Carrington’s layup putting them ahead 107-106, but Bridges’ layup gave the Hornets a 108-107 lead with 1:21 to go. Charlotte’s Josh Green missed two free throws with 38 seconds left.

After a miss and a scramble for the loose ball, Alexandre Sarr tipped in a shot to give the Wizards a 109-108 lead with 15 seconds left.

Ball drove and passed to Williams for a dunk, putting Charlotte ahead 110-109, but Poole hit the game-winning shot for Washington.

Charlotte trailed by 14 points at halftime, but Ball’s floater cut the lead to 84-79 with 4:10 left in the third quarter.

The Wizards were up by five early in the second quarter before Corey Kispert hit a 3-pointer to make it 39-31. Kispert’s layup sparked a 7-0 run, capped by a Malcolm Brogdon free throw, giving Washington a 49-35 lead.

Coulibaly’s floater made it 63-47 with 3:38 left in the half, and Poole’s free throw extended the lead to 68-47 before Charlotte cut it to 68-54 at halftime.

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NBA (Basketball)

The Wizards will welcome the Hornets for a game between two teams struggling to secure victories

Charlotte Hornets and Bucks

The NBA featured its top teams with a five-game Christmas schedule on Wednesday.

The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets were not part of those games, as they have only 11 wins combined. Instead, these two teams at the bottom of the Southeast Division will meet on Thursday night in Washington.

Charlotte has lost five games in a row and 13 of their last 14, including a 114-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday. Washington has lost five out of their last six games, with their latest loss being a 123-105 defeat at Oklahoma City.

The Wizards, who have only four wins, have actually won two of their last four home games, while Charlotte has struggled on the road with a 2-11 record this season.

In the game against Houston, Charlotte struggled with their shooting, hitting only 1 of 11 from three-point range. They scored just 15 points in the first quarter and trailed 62-31 at halftime, which led to boos from their home crowd. The Hornets were down by as much as 34 points early in the third quarter before Houston slowed down.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points and eight rebounds, while LaMelo Ball added 23 points and eight assists. Mark Williams had 12 points and nine rebounds.

“We didn’t do anything. We didn’t communicate, we weren’t physical,” Bridges said. “That’s not Hornets basketball. It starts with the physicality, communication. … We’ve just got to be better defensively.”

Charlotte started the season 4-5 but has only won three games since then. Their most recent loss led to a players-only meeting.

Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets

“I think them (forwards Bridges and Taj Gibson) talking to us, I think they both said what everybody is thinking,” said Williams. “I think it just starts with us. We’ve got to be tougher, got to play harder. Just do all the things it takes to win. Just got to have some pride out there. I think we just lacked that tonight.”

The Wizards, playing with fewer key players, kept the game close in Oklahoma City before the Thunder pulled away in the end. Washington was missing some important players, including Bilal Coulibaly (groin), Alex Sarr (back), and Kyle Kuzma (ribs), and Marvin Bagley III also got injured during the game.

Washington made 16 of their first 32 three-pointers, but then missed their last 11, allowing Oklahoma City, a 20-point favorite, to outscore them 32-18 in the final quarter.

“They just made that little run. … I thought we ran out of a little gas during that stretch,” said Wizards coach Brian Keefe. “But our guys battled. Our guys played a terrific game.”

Jordan Poole scored 31 points, including 5-of-12 from three-point range, marking his fourth game this season with over 30 points.

“That’s what Jordan does,” Keefe said. “He’s our primary scorer. He draws so much attention. It wasn’t just his scoring. It was his drawing — they had to put two (defenders) on him. That allowed us to get open threes for other guys. I thought he played a terrific game tonight. Not just for himself, he got other guys going.”

Carlton Carrington added 14 points, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, and Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 16 rebounds, the most in the game. This was his eighth double-double of the season.

However, the Wizards had 19 turnovers, which led to 24 points for the Thunder.

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NBA (Basketball)

NBA recap: Tyrese Maxey scores 40 points to lead the Sixers past the Hornets

Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets

Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points and Paul George added 33 points, each making six 3-pointers, to help the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Charlotte Hornets 121-108 on Monday night.

The game lost some of its excitement due to the return of Charlotte point guard LaMelo Ball, who scored 15 points and had 11 assists in his comeback from a calf injury that had kept him out since November 27.

The 76ers made 16 of 38 3-pointers in their first game without center Joel Embiid (sinus fracture) and rookie guard Jared McCain (torn meniscus) who were both injured on Friday.

The Hornets lost for the 10th time in 11 games, despite Miles Bridges scoring 24 points.

Bulls 122, Raptors 121

Nikola Vucevic scored 24 points as the Chicago Bulls, who had a 16-point lead cut to just one, managed to defeat the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors scored a 3-pointer at the last second, but it wasn’t enough.

Coby White added 19 points for the Bulls, who have won two games in a row. Josh Giddey contributed 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

RJ Barrett scored 32 points, and Gradey Dick had 27 points for the Raptors, who have now lost five games in a row. Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl left the game with a groin injury in the fourth quarter.

Pistons 125, Heat 124 (OT)

Malik Beasley had a season-high 28 points, and Cade Cunningham posted a triple-double as Detroit beat Miami in overtime.

Cunningham finished with 20 points, 18 assists, and 11 rebounds for Detroit, who nearly lost after squandering a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat

Ausar Thompson added 19 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16, hitting three straight 3-pointers in overtime to erase an 8-point Miami lead.

Jimmy Butler recorded 35 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Heat, who saw their four-game winning streak end. Tyler Herro scored 23 points.

Cavaliers 130, Nets 101

Evan Mobley scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half, and Caris LeVert scored all 19 of his points in the first half, helping Cleveland take control early and beat Brooklyn easily in New York.

Cleveland led by as many as 37 points, improving to a 23-4 record, the best start in team history. They are 8-4 since winning their first 15 games.

Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 22 points, and Day’Ron Sharpe added 15 points. Brooklyn committed a season-high 22 turnovers, which led to 34 points for Cleveland.

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NFL (American Football)

76ers’ strong three-point shooting spoils LaMelo Ball’s return for the Hornets

Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets

Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points, and Paul George added 33 points, each making six 3-pointers, leading the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers to a 121-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.

Kelly Oubre Jr., a former Hornet, scored nine of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed nine rebounds, helping the 76ers win for the fifth time in their last seven games. Andre Drummond added nine points and 15 rebounds.

The game took some of the excitement away from the return of Charlotte point guard LaMelo Ball, who finished with 15 points and 11 assists. The Hornets lost for the 10th time in their last 11 games, despite strong performances from Miles Bridges with 24 points, Nick Richards with 19 points, and Brandon Miller with 12 points. Cody Martin and Josh Green both scored 10 points.

Maxey made six 3-pointers in the first three quarters, and George made five. Together, they scored 27 of Philadelphia’s 31 points in the first quarter.

This helped the 76ers manage their first game without center Joel Embiid (who is out due to a sinus fracture) and rookie guard Jared McCain (who is out with a torn knee ligament). Both players were injured on Friday.

Paul George warms up before the game

Charlotte, trailing by 21 points in the third quarter, tried to make a comeback but couldn’t get closer than four points with just under seven minutes remaining. Philadelphia then responded with a 9-0 run, finished off by a basket from Maxey.

Ball hadn’t played since November 27 due to a calf injury and didn’t come close to his usual 31.1 points per game. He played 26 minutes, shooting 5-for-15 from the floor and making 3 of 8 from 3-point range.

The 76ers were up 93-72 with two minutes left in the third quarter, but soon found themselves in a closer game.

After allowing 41 points in the third quarter, the Hornets came alive. They scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 95-89, with Green contributing eight of those points.

The 76ers have won their last four road games, while the Hornets have lost their last seven home games.