The Charlotte Hornets continued their surprising ascent in the Eastern Conference, securing a 113-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday morning at the Spectrum Center. The win marks Charlotte’s fourth consecutive victory and 13th in their last 16 games, solidifying their position in the playoff conversation.
Both teams entered the contest with identical 29-31 records, but the Hornets leveraged a balanced attack and a potent offense to overcome a determined Portland squad. Charlotte’s recent success has been fueled by a remarkable depth of scoring, with four players – Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges – consistently contributing over 18 points per game. This offensive firepower allowed them to outpace the Trail Blazers, particularly in the second half.
Portland, despite battling through a recent rash of injuries, demonstrated resilience. The Trail Blazers have won six of their last nine games, showcasing an offensive surge that has seen them score at least 121 points in five of those victories. Deni Avdija, currently enjoying an All-Star caliber season, leads the charge, averaging a career-high 24.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. However, Avdija missed the game against the Hornets due to a back issue, and rookie sensation Kon Knueppel and the Hornets exploited that absence.
Knueppel, the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, continues to rewrite the rookie record books. He broke the record for most 3-pointers made by a rookie earlier this week, and added to his total against Portland. His long-range shooting has become a cornerstone of the Hornets’ offensive strategy, providing crucial spacing and forcing defenses to account for his perimeter threat. He finished the game with 22 points, shooting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc.
The Trail Blazers also faced the absence of Donovan Clingan, who was sidelined due to an illness. Veteran players Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant stepped up in their absence, but were unable to fully compensate for the loss of Portland’s rising stars. Shaedon Sharpe remains out for the next month with a calf injury, further complicating Portland’s roster situation.
The Hornets’ victory was built on a strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter, limiting Portland’s scoring opportunities and forcing crucial turnovers. LaMelo Ball orchestrated the offense effectively, finishing with 25 points and 8 assists. Miles Bridges contributed 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Brandon Miller added 18 points and 6 rebounds.
The Trail Blazers will continue their road trip, facing the Memphis Grizzlies on March 2nd. The Hornets will return home to host the Boston Celtics on March 1st.
