LaMelo Ball scored 32 points as the Charlotte Hornets erased an early deficit to take down the Phoenix Suns, 115-104.

The Summary

It took the Hornets nearly two minutes and seven shot attempts to score their first points, and they came on a desperation heave from Brandon Miller at the shot clock buzzer that banked in off the backboard. It took almost another three minutes before Miles Bridges tossed in bucket number two. LaMelo Ball, Miller, and Mark Williams almost pulled off an all time highlight.

LaMelo throws it off the glass to himself. 🥶

pic.twitter.com/s0nAgYcOiX

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 8, 2025

Meanwhile Devin Booker controlled the Suns offense and led them to a seven point lead after one.

The second quarter was one of if not the best quarter the Hornets have played all season. It took a little while to get going; both teams played a pretty clunky but even first few minutes of the quarter. The Hornets got their first lead of the game with LaMelo Ball’s first points on a 3-pointer over Jusuf Nurkic. It never felt like there was a huge offensive explosion until the very end, but the Hornets kept stacking buckets while they limited the Suns to 25% shooting from the field and a goose egg from three in the quarter. They finished with a flurry thanks to some LaMelo Ball free throws, a Bridges three, and an alley oop from Ball to Miller. LaMelo’s half court heave at the buzzer drew back iron.

The Suns scored seven straight to start the second half before a Miles Bridges dunk plus a foul got the Hornets on the board. Devin Booker continued his takeover of the Suns offense, and LaMelo Ball answered with a takeover his own that included a pair of ridiculous threes. When the dust settled, the Hornets clung to a five point lead.

They scored the first five points of the fourth off Bridges dimes in transition. One of those went to Nick Smith Jr., who returned the favor with a half court alley oop to Bridges a few possessions later. The Hornets kept the Suns at bay long enough for LaMelo to get a rest before returning to dazzle with nine straight points. The offense dried up and the Suns threatened to make a late rally, but Brandon Miller turned around what had been a rough fourth quarter to hit a dagger three.

The Good

LaMelo scored all 32 of his points in the last 30 minutes or so of the game. He went bucket for bucket with the Suns superstars and carried the Hornets offense in the second half of the game. He’s making a push to start the all star game, and tonight was a good resume booster.

Miles Bridges bounced back and did a really good job picking his spots after struggling against the Cavs. He made a couple of threes, but more importantly he got downhill and provided a good foil for LaMelo and Miller’s perimeter games. He also had a much better night passing the basketball than his three assists would suggest.

Nick Richards was a menace off the bench, particularly in the first half. He outplayed and out-physicaled Jusuf Nurkic on both sides of the ball. He had a double double off the bench with five offensive rebounds and three blocks.

The Bad

Brandon Miller didn’t have his best game. He had a couple of hurried turnovers early in the fourth and didn’t make a shot until the decisive blow. Not the end of the world, but not his best day at the office.

What’s Next

The Hornets head out on a five game mostly west coast road trip. That starts with a 10:30 eastern tip against the Lakers on Thursday.