Tyrese Maxey returns from injury to post 26 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds, powering the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-114 road victory over the Charlotte Hornets as Embiid and George help close it out in a late fourth-quarter rally, securing a crucial tiebreaker in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Charlotte Hornets will retire Dell Curry’s No. 30 jersey in a on-court ceremony tonight against the Orlando Magic, celebrating the franchise’s original star and long-time ambassador whose impact spans on-court leadership, community work, and a lasting family legacy in Charlotte; Stephen and Seth Curry will be in attendance to honor their father.
Victor Wembanyama scored 32 in 30 minutes to lead the Spurs to a 115-102 win over the Hornets, as San Antonio dictated the tempo, attacked the paint, and leaned on defense and timely plays (including a late Carter Bryant dunk) to steady the game after a Charlotte third-quarter push.
Kon Knueppel remains the Kia Rookie Ladder leader in a tightening ROY race, edging ahead of Cooper Flagg thanks to durability and Charlotte’s stronger win total, while Knueppel’s deep shooting and efficiency keep him ahead (he’s leading in 3-pointers and flirting with 50/40/90-level accuracy). VJ Edgecombe stays third; Dylan Harper and Derik Queen sit 4th and 5th, with other rookies like Ryan Nembhard and Hugo González making notable contributions as voters prepare for ROY decisions in about six weeks (stats through March 3).
Kon Knueppel has delivered a more impactful rookie season for the Hornets than Cooper Flagg for the Mavericks, posting superior shooting efficiency, an elite rookie three-point rate, and strong win shares, while Flagg—though the top-two pick—has a high-usage role that hurts his efficiency. The race is razor-thin and influenced by injury and perception, but Knueppel’s all-around impact makes a case for him as RoY over the hype surrounding Flagg.
Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets climbs back to No. 1 on the Kia Rookie Ladder after reaching 201 3-pointers in 58 games, passing injured Cooper Flagg. Flagg is sidelined with a left-foot sprain, giving Knueppel space to push toward record pace and potentially join the 50/40/90 club, with a rookie rematch in Charlotte on the horizon.
LaMelo Ball played 31 minutes in the Hornets’ 105-101 loss to the Houston Rockets after being involved in a two-car crash in uptown Charlotte. He finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, saying he’s blessed to be OK. CMPD said one person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene, and coach Charles Lee stressed focusing on adversity as Charlotte sits 10th in the East at 26-30 amid recent suspensions of Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate.
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was involved in a crash at Trade and Tryon in Uptown Charlotte, crashing his camo-wrapped 2022 GMC Hummer EV into a sedan and ripping off a front wheel; the vehicle blocked Gold Line tracks, and one person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Ball reportedly exited the damaged vehicle and left the scene in another car, later reportedly getting into a trailing Lamborghini, while Ball continues to be out with a calf injury.
Detroit beat Charlotte 110-104 in a heated showdown that erupted into a bench-clearing brawl, with Duren and Diabate ejected for the Pistons, Bridges ejected for the Hornets, and Isaiah Stewart involved in a late rush; Hornets coach Charles Lee was also ejected. The game featured a competitive Hornets squad on a nine-game win streak, a fired-up Pistons defense, and left the door open for a future playoff-grade rivalry.
A Pistons–Hornets game in Charlotte erupted into a third‑quarter brawl after Moussa Diabaté fouled Jalen Duren, leading to four players being ejected—Diabaté and Miles Bridges (Hornets) and Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart (Pistons)—with Hornets coach Charles Lee also tossed in the fourth. The melee spilled across the court as players and coaches tried to separate, occurring while Detroit held a 70‑62 lead; Detroit went on to win 110‑104, and the NBA is expected to review for additional discipline.
Charlotte started by trading Tyus Jones to Orlando for cash and two second-round picks, then reportedly moved Jones to Dallas for Malaki Branham, sending Branham to Charlotte as Jones heads to the Mavericks; the Hornets have been active at the deadline with other moves (Coby White, Mike Conley Jr., Ousmane Dieng) amid Jones’ modest season numbers.
The Charlotte Hornets will acquire Coby White and Mike Conley from the Chicago Bulls, with Chicago receiving Collin Sexton, Ousmane Dieng, and three second-round picks in return. Dieng is part of a side deal involving Mason Plumlee with Oklahoma City, who will send a second-round pick to Charlotte. White, who turns 26 this month, has averaged 19.5 PPG since becoming a full-time starter in 2023-24, but calf injuries and an expiring contract limited his value; Chicago secured three 2nd-rounders (2029/2031, plus the Knicks’ 2031 pick). The Hornets may re-sign White, while Conley is expected to be a buyout candidate and could potentially return to Minnesota. The Bulls gain Sexton and Dieng and add draft capital as they navigate a crowded backcourt.”,
In a recurring pattern, the Lakers were overwhelmed by a Hornets squad built on athletic wings and shooting, despite standout performances from LeBron James (29 points) and Luka Dončić (39 points). The rest of the team struggled and defensive lapses continued, resulting in a lopsided loss.
Utah Jazz suffered their franchise-record worst defeat since relocating to Utah, a 150-95 blowout to the Charlotte Hornets that left them 55 points behind after a 31-point first quarter. They shot 40% from the floor and 22% from three and were badly out-rebounded—Hornets with 21 offensive rebounds on their misses vs. Jazz’s 20 defensive boards. Cody Williams posted a -60 plus-minus, and with Lauri Markkanen resting and Jusuf Nurkic and Ace Bailey sidelined, four of five starters were 22 or younger. Brice Sensabaugh led Utah with 26 points, and coach Will Hardy urged the team to stay together and keep pushing after a humbling night.