The Phoenix Suns leaned on an electric fourth quarter to outlast the Charlotte Hornets, 111-99, for their fourth win in five games.
Devin Booker led all scorers with 30 points on a pristine 15-for-15 from the charity stripe. He added 10 assists to lead the Suns’ attack. Collin Gillespie and Jalen Green waxed hot as well, as each finished with 24 points while combining for nine triples. Rasheer Fleming chipped in 16 off the bench as the Suns snapped the Hornets’ 10-game winning streak on the road.
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Miles Bridges tallied 16 points and 7 boards, while rookie sniper Kon Knueppel fired 15 with two treys. The Hornets’ 10-game winning run on the road was the NBA’s longest since the Los Angeles Lakers won 11 in a row on the road in the 2019-20 season.
Loss Spoils LaMelo Ball’s Milestone
Even with the loss, the Hornets’ second in as many games, lead guard LaMelo Ball still made history after he put up 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. It is the 100th time he has posted such a stat line, making him the eighth player in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 100 games before turning 25.
Ball’s milestone puts him in elite company, as five of the others on that list are all-time greats: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Oscar Robertson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Magic Johnson.
LaMelo Ball and the Hornets will look to bounce back on Thursday when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Devin Booker and the Suns will return to action on the same day against the Milwaukee Bucks.
