First Half Dominance
The Hornets set the tone early, amassing 81 points by halftime—their highest in any half this season. LaMelo Ball orchestrated the offense with precision, contributing 27 points and 14 assists. His impeccable shooting included seven successful three-pointers out of eleven attempts. citeturn0search0
Nick Smith Jr. delivered a standout performance, particularly in the first half, where he scored 22 of his career-high 26 points. His efficiency from beyond the arc was notable, as he connected on six of seven three-point attempts. citeturn0search12
Josh Green also showcased his shooting prowess, going a perfect five-for-five from three-point range in the first half. This collective sharpshooting enabled the Hornets to build a substantial 26-point lead by halftime. citeturn0search16
Spurs’ Struggles Without Key Players
The Spurs faced challenges, notably the absence of star guard De’Aaron Fox, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn ligament in his left pinkie. citeturn0search0 Additionally, rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama was unavailable, further straining the Spurs’ lineup. citeturn0search16
In their absence, rookie guard Stephon Castle stepped up admirably, leading the Spurs with 26 points. Devin Vassell added 22 points, but the team’s defensive lapses, especially in guarding the perimeter, proved costly. citeturn0search0
Historic Three-Point Shooting
The Hornets’ barrage from beyond the arc was relentless. By halftime, they had already matched the NBA record for most three-pointers in a half with 18. This onslaught continued into the second half, culminating in a franchise-record 26 made three-pointers by game’s end. citeturn0search6
Balanced Offensive Contributions
Beyond the stellar performances of Ball, Smith Jr., and Green, other Hornets players made significant contributions. Miles Bridges added 21 points, while Jusuf Nurkic provided a strong presence in the paint, complementing the team’s perimeter success. citeturn0search0
Spurs’ Resilience in the Second Half
Despite the substantial halftime deficit, the Spurs exhibited resilience in the second half. They matched the Hornets’ 40-point output in the third quarter and outscored them 39-24 in the fourth. However, the early gap proved insurmountable. citeturn0search0
Implications for Both Teams
This victory marked the Hornets’ third win in their last four games, improving their season record to 17-49. For the Spurs, the loss dropped them to 27-38, highlighting the challenges they’ve faced due to injuries to key players. citeturn0search0
Looking Ahead
The Hornets will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming games, while the Spurs will need to adjust strategies to compensate for the absence of their star players as they strive to remain competitive in the Western Conference.
