Hornets Losing Streak Against the Clippers Continues
The Charlotte Hornets traveled west to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night at Intuit Dome, hoping to finally snap a long and frustrating streak. Charlotte had not beaten the Clippers since November of 2017, and they had not won in Los Angeles since February of 2009, back when the franchise was still known as the Bobcats. Hornets fans entered the night cautiously optimistic that this might finally be the game where history changed. Instead, the streak continued, as Charlotte fell once again to Los Angeles, dropping its 16th straight game against the Clippers in a 117-109 loss.
The game was a difficult watch at times for Hornets fans, particularly due to the lack of bench production. Not a single Charlotte bench player finished in double figures, putting added pressure on the starting lineup to carry the offense. All five starters did reach double digits, but several key contributors were unable to fully deliver. Miles Bridges scored 11 points on three of 10 shooting, while Brandon Miller added 13 points on five of 11 shooting, leaving the Hornets needing more from both wings. Moussa Diabaté provided one of the bright spots of the night, finishing with 13 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks while consistently playing with high energy.
Charlotte started the game on solid footing and showed no signs of being overwhelmed early. Diabate scored the Hornets’ first six points, setting the tone with aggressive play in the paint. James Harden began to settle in as the quarter progressed, repeatedly attacking the rim and finishing the period with 11 points. Despite Harden’s early scoring burst, the Hornets closed the first quarter with a 26-24 lead. That strong opening gave fans hope that the streak might finally come to an end.
The second quarter remained tightly contested, though scoring slowed considerably. Los Angeles outscored Charlotte 21-17 in what became the lowest scoring quarter of the game. Offense came from several different players on both sides, but neither team found a consistent rhythm. The Clippers carried a narrow 45-43 lead into halftime, setting the stage for a competitive second half.
The third quarter quickly turned into a shootout, with both teams scoring 41 points. Kawhi Leonard completely took over the period, pouring in 19 points and controlling the game with his poise and efficiency. LaMelo Ball did his part to keep Charlotte within striking distance, scoring 12 points in the quarter and pushing the tempo offensively. Despite matching the Clippers basket for basket, the Hornets entered the fourth quarter trailing 86-84.
The final period showcased the Clippers’ experience and star power. Los Angeles outscored Charlotte 31-25, getting timely buckets whenever momentum seemed to swing. Harden and Leonard consistently delivered in key moments, while Jordan Miller provided an unexpected spark off the bench with 10 of his 14 points coming in the fourth quarter. Charlotte continued to compete, but the execution gap became clear down the stretch.
Harden finished the night with 32 points and 10 assists, marking another dominant showing against Charlotte. Earlier this season, Harden erupted for 55 points against the Hornets, resulting in an average of 43.5 points per game against them this year. With the two teams not scheduled to meet again this season, it felt as though Harden simply had Charlotte’s number. The night also carried historic significance, as Harden passed Shaquille O’Neal for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, adding another milestone to an already impressive performance.
Leonard led all scorers with 35 points on 11-19 shooting, while Ball paced the Hornets with 25 points and nine rebounds in another strong all-around performance. Kon Knueppel added 18 points on an efficient eight of 12 shooting night, though it was only his second game this season without a made three-pointer as he struggled from beyond the arc. Despite the strong efforts from the starters, the lack of production elsewhere ultimately made the difference.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 14-26 on the season and remain 12th in the Eastern Conference as the second team out of the Play-In Tournament. Charlotte now has a rare two-day break on the road before taking on Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. The Clippers improve to 16-23 and move into 11th place in the Western Conference as the first team out of the Play-In, sitting just a game behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Los Angeles will return to action at home Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards. For now, Hornets fans will have to wait at least another year for the chance to finally break through the Clippers’ curse and defeat Los Angeles.
