Key Takeaways:
- Charlotte Hornets mounted a 22-point comeback to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 102-95
- LaMelo Ball recorded 24 points after briefly exiting due to an eye laceration
- Charlotte matched their longest winning streak since March 2016 with their seventh straight victory
Comeback Show Steers Hornets to Victory
The Charlotte Hornets produced a remarkable turnaround on Monday night, clawing back from a 22-point deficit to prevail 102-95 over the New Orleans Pelicans at home. The win marked Charlotte’s seventh successive triumph, a run not seen since March 2016, and drew them within half a game of the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
the boys keep buzzin'
7 in a row for your hornets 🐝 pic.twitter.com/T3RHd8ze42
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) February 2, 2026
Player Performances and Notable Moments
LaMelo Ball delivered a standout performance, scoring 24 points despite suffering an early eye laceration following a collision with coach Charles Lee. Ball exited briefly in the first quarter after the incident occurred as he attempted to save a loose pass, but swiftly returned and contributed 18 points with three triples in the opening half. However, the Hornets were down 64-49 at the break, hampered by 10 turnovers and a 7-for-30 showing from three-point range.
Kon Knueppel supplied 17 points including four three-pointers, while Brandon Miller and Grant Williams each registered 16 points. The Hornets managed to recover from 17 total turnovers, with key plays in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Ball ignited the comeback with a penetrating drive and emphatic two-handed dunk to seize the lead. Later, Miller, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, swiped the ball from Herbert Jones at midcourt and soared in for a one-handed dunk to push the margin to nine.
Pelicans’ Efforts and Game Statistics
The Pelicans were led by Trey Murphy III, who posted a game-high 27 points. Zion Williamson added a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Derik Queen chipped in 16 points. Despite taking a double-digit lead at half time, New Orleans faltered in the second half, marking their sixth defeat in the past nine outings.
| Team | Top Scorer | Top Rebounder | Key Stats | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | LaMelo Ball (24 pts) | Kon Knueppel, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams (9 rebs) | Matched 7-game win streak since March 2016 | 102 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | Trey Murphy III (27 pts) | Zion Williamson (11 rebs) | Led by as much as 22 points in first half | 95 |
Looking Ahead
The Pelicans will travel to Milwaukee for a Wednesday night fixture, while the Hornets are scheduled to visit Houston on Thursday night.
