NBA

Charlotte Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder

· National Basketball Association
34-35, 18-18 Away
Final
134 - 116

20-48, 9-26 Home

Terry Rozier shines as Hornets beat Thunder 134-116

Charlotte closed out a perfect two-game trip, rallying after falling behind by as many as 18 points in the second quarter. Miles Bridges had 27 points and six assists, and LaMelo Ball finished with 21 points and seven assists.

“We were just preaching that we had to move the ball,” Bridges said. “Anytime we move the ball, we get any shot we want. ... We were getting a lot of open 3s and knocking them down.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points and eight rebounds, and Darius Bazley scored 25 points.

Oklahoma City lost its sixth consecutive game.

“We’re the youngest team in the league and banged up on top of that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “We’re trying to win games. Our guys are competing hard.”

The Thunder opened a 47-29 lead on Aleksej Pokusevski's 3-pointer with 10:26 left in the first half. But Isaiah Thomas rallied the Hornets, going 4 for 4 from 3 in the second quarter to help his team to a 65-64 lead at the break.

“(Thomas) gives us great poise and confidence out there on the floor,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “(Thomas) was fantastic tonight. He was a big part in turning this game.”

Ball made four 3s of his own in the third, including a deep shot from the top of the arc with 6:53 remaining. He scored 14 points to send Charlotte into the fourth quarter with a 102-91 lead.

The Hornets led by as much as 20 points down the stretch.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Thomas finished with 12 points in 16 1/2 minutes. ... The Hornets went 20 for 35 from 3-point range as a team.

Thunder: Surpassed 40 points in the first quarter for the first time this season. ... Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 30 points in eight of the Thunder’s last 10 games. ... Vit Krejci scored a career-high 12 points in 15 minutes off the bench.

UP NEXT

Hornets: Host Atlanta on Wednesday night.

Thunder: At San Antonio on Wednesday night.

Regular Season Series

CHA wins series 2-0

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 134 - 116
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 134 - 116
4th 20.0 Lindy Waters III makes 3-foot two point shot (Theo Maledon assists) 134 - 116
4th 21.5 Thunder offensive team rebound 134 - 114
4th 24.2 Aleksej Pokusevski misses 26-foot three point jumper 134 - 114

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/cha.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCHA https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/okc.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originOKC
49-91 FG 42-90
53.8 Field Goal % 46.7
20-35 3PT 16-44
57.1 Three Point % 36.4
16-21 FT 16-19
76.2 Free Throw % 84.2
37 Rebounds 49
8 Offensive Rebounds 13
29 Defensive Rebounds 36
33 Assists 31
12 Steals 4
7 Blocks 3
6 Turnovers 18
0 Team Turnovers 0
6 Total Turnovers 18
1 Technical Fouls 0
1 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
6 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 27
12 Fast Break Points 14
48 Points in Paint 50
17 Fouls 19
22 Largest Lead 18
Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Nikola Topic, G Out Jan 12
Charlotte Hornets Charlotte Hornets Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE

Game Information

Paycom Center

Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Attendance: 15,810 · Capacity:

2024-25 Southeast Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Orlando 41 41 .500 - L1
Atlanta 40 42 .488 1 W3
Miami 37 45 .451 4 L1
Charlotte 19 63 .232 22 L7
Washington 18 64 .220 23 W1

2024-25 Northwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Oklahoma City 68 14 .829 - W4
Denver 50 32 .610 18 W3
Minnesota 49 33 .598 19 W3
Portland 36 46 .439 32 W1
Utah 17 65 .207 51 L2
Full Standings

NBA News

NBA Finals 2025: 7 things that could decide Thunder-Pacers

NBA Finals 2025: 7 things that could decide Thunder-Pacers

What are the most important matchups? What history is at stake? Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton take an early look at Thunder-Pacers.

Jalen Brunson has 'utmost confidence' Knicks' core can contend

Jalen Brunson has 'utmost confidence' Knicks' core can contend

Despite Saturday's season-ending loss, Jalen Brunson said there isn't "an ounce of any type of doubt" that the Knicks' core can take the next step toward a title.

NBA Finals betting: Thunder heavily favored over Pacers

NBA Finals betting: Thunder heavily favored over Pacers

The NBA Finals are set,and here are the updated odds to win the NBA championship and Finals MVP.

Pacers' Jarace Walker hurts ankle, status for NBA Finals iffy

Pacers' Jarace Walker hurts ankle, status for NBA Finals iffy

Jarace Walker was on crutches with a right ankle injury following Indiana's 125-108 victory over the Knicks, and coach Rick Carlisle said he was uncertain of his forward's availability for the NBA Finals.

Tyrese Haliburton: 'I love being a Pacer'

Tyrese Haliburton: 'I love being a Pacer'

Tyrese Haliburton expresses his gratitude to the Pacers organization for taking a chance on him.