Hornets Edge Mavericks in Preseason Thriller
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 120-116 in a fast-paced preseason matchup, giving fans an encouraging look at the team’s potential. LaMelo Ball led the way with 20 points and six assists, orchestrating the offense and creating opportunities for teammates. Miles Bridges added 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Brandon Miller chipped in 15 points and five assists. Ryan Kalkbrenner, starting in the frontcourt, had a perfect game offensively, scoring 14 points on seven-of-seven shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds, providing an efficient presence in the paint. Collin Sexton scored 12 points, giving the Hornets a spark alongside Ball as they built an early lead.
Charlotte shot efficiently as a team, hitting nearly 49% from the field and 41% from three-point range, with contributions coming from both starters and reserves. Bridges, Miller, Ball, and Sexton consistently made plays in transition and on half-court sets, while Kalkbrenner’s flawless post play made Dallas have to guard the rim. Charlotte built a lead through the first three quarters, forcing Dallas to play catch-up in the fourth. Even when the Mavericks mounted a late rally, the Hornets’ stars delivered key baskets down the stretch. The team’s combination of scoring, defense, and rebounding proved to be the difference in a tightly contested game.
While many players on the bench got buckets, displaying the Hornets’ deep roster, Kon Knueppel was the only one scoring double figures, putting up 12 points and giving Charlotte a spark when the starters rested. The rest of the reserves saw less action and contributed in smaller ways, but Knueppel’s performance shows he can be a reliable scoring option off the bench. His ability to step in and hit shots when needed gives Coach Lee flexibility with minutes and rotations. This also highlights the Hornets’ depth; even if most bench players didn’t score much, they provide energy, defense, and spacing when called upon.
This preseason win gives Charlotte confidence heading into the regular season. The starting five of Ball, Sexton, Miller, Bridges, and Kalkbrenner just might be set as the foundation, with Knueppel being one of the most dependable bench scorers behind them. This victory demonstrates the Hornets’ offensive efficiency and rebounding strength, as well as their ability to withstand a late rally. While rotations may continue to evolve, this performance shows Charlotte has both star power and depth to compete consistently. Fans can feel encouraged about the team’s balance and potential as the regular season approaches.
