Brandon Miller led with 27 points as the Charlotte Hornets staged a dramatic comeback, overcoming an 18-point deficit in the second half to narrowly defeat the Atlanta Hawks 115-114.
Initially, the Hornets and Hawks were neck-and-neck, with the Hornets briefly taking the lead before falling behind due to an 8-0 run by the Hawks. By the end of the first quarter, the Hawks led 35-30. Despite some solid play from the Hornets, highlighted by a spectacular dunk from Miller, they couldn’t maintain a lead. The Hawks responded with key three-pointers from Dylan Windler and others, extending their lead to six by halftime.
The situation seemed dire for the Hornets in the third quarter as the Hawks, fueled by Bogdan Bogdanovic’s resurgence and precise plays, expanded their lead to 18 points. Heading into the final quarter, the Hornets trailed by 15.
However, the fourth quarter saw a remarkable shift. Miller sparked a powerful comeback, supported by teammates like Grant Williams and JT Thor. A series of strategic plays, including crucial three-pointers, brought the Hornets within striking distance. The game’s climax came in the final seconds with Miles Bridges tying the game and then scoring a coast-to-coast layup to take the lead, while the Hawks struggled, missing crucial shots.
Miller’s performance was a highlight, as he continued his ascent on the rookie 3-point scoring list and showed no signs of slowing down, despite being a rookie. Tre Mann’s defensive prowess was also crucial, contributing significantly with seven steals and 16 points.
On the flip side, the Hornets still face challenges in the season, as their record only slightly improved with this win. They are now preparing to face the top-ranked Boston Celtics in one of their final games of the season.
