Key Takeaways:
- Miles Bridges led the Charlotte Hornets with 25 points in their 127-107 victory against the Phoenix Suns
- Rookie Kon Knueppel set a new Hornets franchise record with his 261st three-pointer of the season, surpassing Kemba Walker’s 2018-19 tally
- Collin Gillespie broke the Suns’ franchise record for three-pointers in a season, moving past Quentin Richardson’s mark of 226 from 2004-05
Historic Performances From Deep
The Charlotte Hornets dispatched the Phoenix Suns 127-107 at home on Thursday night, powered by Miles Bridges’ 25-point effort and a landmark achievement from rookie Kon Knueppel. Knueppel, selected fourth overall from Duke, recorded 20 points and sank four shots from beyond the arc. His fourth three-pointer brought his season total to 261, breaking the longstanding franchise record of 260 set by Kemba Walker during the 2018-19 campaign. Knueppel completed the feat with a corner three in the fourth quarter, having missed two open shots just moments earlier.
dub at the crib #HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/wJAo4sOY9s
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 3, 2026
Phoenix’s Collin Gillespie also etched his name in the record books. Gillespie, who finished with six points on the night, hit two three-pointers, raising his single-season tally to a new franchise-high of 227, thereby eclipsing Quentin Richardson’s previous Suns record established in 2004-05.
Key Contributions and Team Breakdown
Charlotte saw strong all-around contributions, with Coby White delivering 19 points, while LaMelo Ball tallied 15 points and 11 assists. Brandon Miller added 17 points to the impressive offensive display. The Hornets have now triumphed in seven of their last nine outings.
As for the Suns, Jalen Green led with 25 points and Devin Booker chipped in 22. However, despite opening the contest in fine form – converting 17 of their first 28 field goal attempts to claim a 41-33 lead at the end of the first quarter – Phoenix struggled to maintain momentum and have now faced defeat in six of their past seven games on the road.
Game Analysis and Statistical Review
The Hornets grabbed control late in the second quarter, with Miller helping his side enter half-time up 66-60. They pushed ahead decisively in the third period, highlighted by Miller’s three-pointer that established a 13-point advantage. After Knueppel thrilled the home supporters by breaking the season three-point record, Charlotte surged further ahead. Ball provided the assist for Bridges’ alley-oop dunk, followed shortly by Bridges hitting a corner triple to put Charlotte up by 19 points, effectively sealing the win.
| Team | Record | 3PM-3PA | Rebounds | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Hornets | 41-36 | 18-49 | 47 | Miles Bridges (25) |
| Phoenix Suns | 42-35 | 16-39 | 31 | Jalen Green (25) |
Playoff Implications and Next Fixtures
Both clubs entered Thursday aiming to bolster their positions for the play-in tournament. The Hornets (41-36) currently occupy eighth place in the Eastern Conference, trailing Philadelphia and Toronto – both tied for sixth – by two games. Meanwhile, the Suns (42-35) sit in seventh place out West, 4.5 games behind Minnesota in sixth.
Looking ahead, Phoenix will travel to Chicago for Sunday night’s contest, while Charlotte are set to host Indiana on Friday night.
