Hornets Get Blown Out by Mavericks

The Charlotte Hornets were routed by the Dallas Mavericks, 120-96, without All-Star Luka Doncic. He missed Monday night’s game because of a lingering ankle injury. Dallas (14-13), snapped a five-game home losing streak, with its largest victory of the season. The Hornets played their fifth straight game without LaMelo Ball, who is still in the league’s health and safety protocol.

The Hornets were held scoreless through the first four minutes of the game, missing their first seven shot attempts, while Dallas came out on fire. Kristaps Porzingis hit his first of five alley-opp dunks and a corner three. He was joined by Tim Hardaway Jr. and Trey Burke, to make the score 10-0. At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks led by 17, 37-20.

The Mavericks led by as many as 30 in the first half, before Gordon Hayward knocked down a 3-pointer, cutting the deficit to 27, but Dallas scored in the closing seconds, making the score 70-43 before heading into the locker room.

The Hornets showed some fight to start the second half. The Mavericks could not keep up their hot shooting from the first half, as the Hornets went on a 14-4 run. The Mavericks started out 1 of 10 from the field and all of those shots were from distance.

The Hornets could not find a way to get any closer and most of the quarter was played by them trailing around 20 to 23 points. The third quarter ended with the Mavericks having a commanding lead, 91-69.

The fourth quarter was much like the first three. Both coaches emptied their benches. Scottie Lewis scored his first career point for the Hornets and had a steal. James Bouknight made a couple of nice baskets as part of a 13 point night. The rest is history, with the Mavericks winning 120-96.
“It’s a disappointing loss, but it’s one,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “Now, it’s about responding.”

Kristaps Porzingis had 24 points, 13 boards and 5 rejections for the Mavericks. Trey Burke scored a season high 22 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 off the bench. They combined on 6-for-9 shooting from 3-point range.

“We started off shooting really well, and it kind of carried over to everybody,” Porzingis said.

Terry Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr. each scored 20 points to lead the Hornets. Rozier made his return after missing four games while in the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol. Gordon Hayward contributed 17 points, with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Hornets forwards P.J. Washington (11 points) and Nick Richards returned from non-COVID-19 illnesses.

Center Mason Plumlee and forward Jalen McDaniels left the health and safety protocol Monday and were assigned to Greensboro of the G League for conditioning and rehab.

“I don’t know who’s going to be back next game,” Borrego said. “We’ve just got to find our way through this.”

The Mavericks host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. It will be the first time the teams square off this season. The Hornets continue their road trip at San Antonio on Wednesday, facing the Spurs.