Hornets Get Win Over Spurs

On Friday night, the Hornets did something in a hostile environment that they have never done before in franchise history. Their previous franchise high for three-pointers made in a single game was 24, but the Hornets shattered that number and finished with 26 triples in Friday night’s 11-point victory, 145-134, over the free-falling San Antonio Spurs.

The Hornets were on fire, drilling a franchise-high of 18 threes in the first half. They also tied the NBA record for the most made three-pointers in a half.

For a team that is among one of the worst in three-point percentage and points per game, this 3-point barrage outcome was extraordinary.

Josh Green got the Hornets rolling early in the first quarter when he knocked down four threes in the opening minutes of the game. Nick Smith Jr. also found his stroke off the bench in the second quarter, as he had six triples to add to his stat sheet at halftime. Both Green and Smith Jr. were a combined 11/11 from downtown at the break.

Smith Jr. had his coming out party, scoring a career-high 26 points for the Hornets. Miles Green added 21 and Josh Green had 20. Miles Bridges contributed 21 points and 8 assists.

LaMelo Ball got more involved in the spectacular shooting performance from the Hornets, as he buried a trio of threes at the start of the third quarter. Ball ended up concluding the contest with seven made shots from distance. He had 27 points and 15 dimes.

Ball, Green, and Smith etched their name in history becoming the sixth trio in NBA history to each record six or more threes in the same game.

Charlotte had a commanding 26-point lead, 81-55, after the first half, the most points they have scored in any half this season.

San Antonio, who hangs their hat on their defensive prowess and getting after it, gave up the second-most points to an opponent this season 24 hours after announcing De’Aaron Fox will undergo season-ending surgery to repair tendon damage in his left pinkie.
Stephon Castle had 26 points for the Spurs and Devin Vassell added 22.

To put a bow on the Hornets’ terrific outing on Friday night, Marcus Garrett was the player who was responsible for making the franchise-best 25th three-pointer in the game. Garrett is a two-way player, currently on a 10-day contract for the Hornets and has spent the majority of the season with the Greensboro Swarm, which is the team’s G-League affiliate.

The Hornets were just three perimeter shots away from tying the NBA record for the most total three-pointers in a game. The record has been set on two different occasions, most recently with the Boston Celtics, earlier this season.

The Hornets visit the Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The Spurs host Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.