12/18/25 08:41:00
Printable Page
12/18 20:36 CST LaMelo Ball hits 7 1st-half 3-pointers in return, Hornets beat
Hawks 133-126
LaMelo Ball hits 7 1st-half 3-pointers in return, Hornets beat Hawks 133-126
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- LaMelo Ball hit seven first-half 3-pointers in his
return from a right ankle injury, Charlotte had 18 in the opening 24 minutes to
match the NBA and franchise records and the Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks
133-126 on Thursday night.
After missing three games, Ball was 7 of 9 from 3-point range in the first
half. He finished 8 of 11 on 3s and had 28 points and 13 assists in just over
29 minutes. Charlotte also made 18 3s in a half March 14 at San Antonio. Six
teams have done it once.
The Hornets spoiled Atlanta star guard Trae Young's return from a knee injury.
Young had eight points and 10 assists in 20 minutes. He sprained the MCL in his
right knee in a game at Brooklyn on Oct. 29.
Jalen Johnson just missed a triple-double for Atlanta, finishing with 43
points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Charlotte was 24 of 49 on 3s overall, falling short of the franchise record of
26 set in the March game against the Spurs. Kon Knueppel matched Ball with 28
points, and Brandon Miller had 26. Knueppel was 6 of 12 on 3s, and Miller 4 of
7.
The Hornets improved to 9-18, winning consecutive games for the second time
this season. On Sunday, they won at Cleveland in overtime.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 28 points for Atlanta. The Hawks dropped to
15-13. They beat Philadelphia at home Sunday.
Up next
Hawks: Host San Antonio on Friday night.
Hornets: At Detroit on Saturday night. -__
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
|
