It was an explosive start to the season as the Charlotte Hornets’ offense came alive in a 136-117 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Impressively, all five starters for Charlotte scored in double digits, and four bench players also contributed 10 or more points in the Hornets’ season opener.
Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel described the team’s balanced scoring effort, saying, “It was kind of like a potluck tonight. Everybody was eating. That’s fun basketball, and that’s how it’s supposed to be played. So, hopefully, we can keep that going.”
Expectations for the Hornets were low heading into the season, with many analysts predicting a bottom-of-the-standings finish. However, Charlotte showcased something special in their dominant win over the Nets, giving their fans plenty to celebrate. In fact, the Hornets set a franchise record for most points in a season-opening game, according to Sam Perley of Hornets.com.
Leading the charge was Brandon Miller, who tallied 25 points on 8-for-19 shooting. LaMelo Ball also had a strong showing with 20 points and eight assists, while Miles Bridges added 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Rookie Kon Knueppel made an impressive debut, contributing 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Fellow rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner recorded a double-double in his NBA regular-season debut, posting 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Off the bench, Collin Sexton led with 15 points on 4-for-9 shooting. Moussa Diabate added 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting, Tre Mann chipped in 12, and Tidjane Salaun finished with 10 points.
The Hornets’ balanced scoring played a major role in their big win. Beyond their shooting success, Charlotte also dominated the boards, winning the rebound battle 50-38—another key factor in the blowout victory.
With the season opener now behind them, the Hornets turn their attention to their next challenge. Charlotte will travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, aiming to build on their impressive start and continue improving their position in the standings.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/charlotte-hornets/hornets-kon-knueppel-potluck-claim-charlotte-136-point-explosion
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