All bad things must come to an end.
The Charlotte Hornets, who came into the contest with chips on their shoulders and a six-game losing streak, took down the new look San Antonio Spurs 117-116 in an exciting finish.
Miles Bridges sank a clutch three-pointer with 1.4 seconds left on the clock, to lift the Hornets to a dramatic victory over the Spurs on Friday night, snapping their six-game losing streak.
Bridges, who finished with 25 points on 10-of-18 from the field and seven boards, delivered the knockout punch after the Hornets had given up their lead with just 8.1 seconds remaining. The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox attempted a final shot but could not get it off before time expired. He was playing in just his second game with the team after being traded by the Sacramento Kings where he spent the first seven and a half years of his career.
LaMelo Ball did a little bit of everything, making an impactful return from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury, contributing 24 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. Nick Smith Jr. continued his strong play with 19 points, while rookie KJ Simpson and veteran Seth Curry both added 12 points off the bench.
“Amazing. The talent he is, but just the teammate he is. To have him back on the floor, to see one of our brothers go out there and it’s like he never left, pick up where he left off,” Simpson said. “He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder, something to prove. He should have been an All-Star, and we just want to back him up. It feels great to have him out here.”
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Hornets controlled most statistical categories, shooting a season-best 46.5% from the field and 44.7% from distance, including a season-high 17 made threes. The basket seemed as big as the ocean. Charlotte also dominated the glass with a 53-38 rebounding advantage and recorded eight more assists (33-25).
For the Spurs, rookie Stephon Castle, the No. 4 overall pick out of the University of Connecticut, had a coming out party, with a career and game-high 33 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting. Fox contributed 22 points, six assists, and four steals.
The French phenom, Victor Wembanyama, had a quiet game by his lofty standards, recording a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to go along with 5 blocks, but struggled from the field, shooting just 7-of-20, including 1-of-9 from downtown.
The Hornets held the lead from the 10:46 mark of the first quarter until the final minute when San Antonio briefly took control. The Spurs had mounted a comeback at the midway point of the fourth quarter, using a 9-0 run to slice a 12-point deficit to three before setting up the dramatic finish.
The Spurs are on the road at Orlando to take on Paolo Banchero and the Magic on Saturday night.
The Hornets leave the friendly confines of the Spectrum Center after their nine-game home stand with a road trip to face the improved Detroit Pistons on Sunday, their first game away from home since January 22.
