Charlotte Hornets tie NBA record in victory over Atlanta Hawks

Blistering first half sets the tone

The Hornets turned their home court into a three-point showcase, drilling 18 shots from beyond the arc in the first half and matching an NBA mark for accuracy and volume in a single half. They shot 18-for-31 from deep, which gave them an 80–69 lead at the break and forced the Hawks to play catch-up the rest of the way.

Charlotte’s offense was firing from all angles — Con Knueppel and Brandon Miller helped keep the ball moving and find open looks, while LaMelo Ball dazzled with his usual scoring and playmaking. The team’s pace and confidence on offense made it tough for Atlanta to slow things down.

Hawks rally falls short despite huge individual effort

Atlanta didn’t go quietly. Jalen Johnson took over in the second half, pouring in 43 points and adding 11 rebounds and 9 assists as he led a furious comeback. The Hawks chipped away at the lead and got it down to three in the closing minutes, turning the finish into a tense exchange.

In the end, Charlotte held on. LaMelo made a clutch basket and delivered a crucial assist late to help seal the 133–126 win. Even with Atlanta’s late surge, the Hornets’ hot start from distance was the difference.

Where this leaves the Hornets

The victory improves Charlotte’s record to 9–18 and keeps them competitive in a crowded Eastern Conference. The game was a reminder of how dangerous they can be when their perimeter shooting is falling — and also how much they still rely on strong individual performances to close out tight contests.

Overall it was an entertaining night of offense: a historic first half, a spectacular individual showing from Johnson, and a close finish that kept fans on their feet until the final whistle.