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LaMelo Ball Drops 35 Points on Timberwolves to Steers Hornets to Fourth Consecutive Win

LaMelo Ball dribbles the ball

Key Takeaways:

  • The Charlotte Hornets secured their fourth consecutive victory with a 122-108 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves/li>
  • LaMelo Ball tallied 35 points, shooting 7 for 14 from three-point range, marking his league-leading eighth game this season with at least seven triples
  • Minnesota, missing Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards due to injuries, have now lost four out of their last five games

Game Breakdown

In Minneapolis, the Charlotte Hornets extended their winning run to four games after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-108. LaMelo Ball led the scoring charge with 35 points, while Miles Bridges contributed 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Coby White added 17 points, as Charlotte improved to a 43-36 record. The Hornets converted 48.9% of their field goals, going 45-for-92, and now sit just half a game behind the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Shooting and Statistical Highlights

Ball’s performance from beyond the arc remained electric, as he sank 7 of 14 three-point attempts. This outing set a league-best for the season – it was his eighth game with at least seven made threes. He has also logged 20 games with five or more three-pointers this campaign. The Hornets hold a 9-2 record since mid-March and have compiled a 39-22 stretch since Thanksgiving Day.

TeamPointsTop ScorerShooting %Current Record
Charlotte Hornets122LaMelo Ball (35)48.9% (45/92)43-36
Minnesota Timberwolves108Julius Randle (26)45.8% (38/83)46-32

Playoff Race Update

With their recent strong run, Charlotte, who have not reached the playoffs in a decade, are positioning themselves for a shot at bypassing the East’s play-in stage and entering the first round outright.

For the Timberwolves, the absence of key contributors continues to hamper progress. Jaden McDaniels remains out with a left knee injury, and Anthony Edwards has missed eight of the last ten fixtures due to persistent right knee pain. Coach Chris Finch commented pre-game, “there’s any great concern for anything longer-term,” but Edwards’ immediate availability remains up in the air.

Timberwolves’ Performance and Standings

Julius Randle paced Minnesota with 26 points, and Bones Hyland delivered 18 points, alongside six rebounds and six assists from the bench. The Timberwolves, who have lost four of their last five games, hold sixth place in the Western Conference with a 46-32 record, sitting three games above the play-in line with four regular-season games remaining.

Turning Point

Bones Hyland knocked down a three-pointer on the halftime buzzer, granting Minnesota a 60-55 advantage at the interval. However, Charlotte, propelled by Bridges’ energy, turned momentum around in the third quarter, ending the period with a ten-point cushion to set the stage for their triumph.

Next Fixtures

  • Hornets: Travel to Boston on Tuesday
  • Timberwolves: Visit Indiana on Tuesday

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