BOSTON — — Kon Knueppel scored 20 points and the Charlotte Hornets extended their win streak to six games with a a 118-89 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18 points. Coby White finished with 17 points and six assists to help Charlotte (32-31) move above .500 for the first time since Oct. 26.
The Hornets never trailed and led by as many as 29 points while committing only five turnovers.
Derrick White led the Celtics with 29 points. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 11 rebounds as Boston’s win streak was stopped at three games.
From the opening quarter, the Hornets established control of the game. Their fast-paced offense and efficient shooting allowed them to build an early lead, while the Celtics struggled to find consistent scoring opportunities. Charlotte’s aggressive defense forced multiple turnovers, converting them into fast-break points that energized both the team and the crowd.
By halftime, the Hornets had already created a comfortable cushion, maintaining a double-digit advantage that kept the Celtics on the back foot.
Charlotte’s balanced scoring attack played a key role in the victory. Several players contributed significantly on the offensive end, combining accurate perimeter shooting with strong drives to the basket. The Hornets moved the ball effectively, creating open looks and keeping the Celtics’ defense scrambling.
Their ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and maintain a high shooting percentage further widened the gap as the game progressed.
Despite entering the matchup with strong expectations, the Celtics had difficulty matching the Hornets’ energy and execution. Missed shots, turnovers, and defensive lapses made it difficult for Boston to mount a comeback.
The Celtics attempted to adjust their strategy in the second half, but Charlotte’s relentless pace and defensive pressure prevented them from gaining any meaningful momentum.
The Celtics (41-21) came out sluggish playing in their sixth game in nine days, shooting just 38% (30 of 79) from the the field and committing 16 turnovers that led to 21 Charlotte points. Boston also was mostly cold from the 3-point line, connecting on only 10 of 36 attempts
Despite playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Hornets sprinted out to an 8-0 lead as the Celtics missed their first eight shots.
Boston’s shooting issues continued into the second quarter, dipping as low as 25% at one point. Charlotte, which turned the ball over only twice in the first half, took advantage and built a 64-43 halftime lead.
Up next
Hornets: Host Miami on Friday.
Celtics: Host Dallas on Friday.
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