Key Takeaways:
- LaMelo Ball drilled seven first-half three-pointers and amassed 28 points with 13 assists after returning from injury
- Charlotte Hornets matched the league and franchise record with 18 first-half threes in their 133-126 win against the Atlanta Hawks
- Jalen Johnson tallied 43 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing a triple-double for the Hawks
Record-Equalling Shooting Lifts Charlotte
LaMelo Ball announced his return to the court in emphatic fashion following a three-game absence due to a right ankle injury. The Hornets guard sparked his side by converting seven of his nine first-half attempts from beyond the arc, fuelling Charlotte’s assault from distance. The team closed the first half with 18 made three-pointers, equalling both the NBA and franchise records for threes in a half, a feat accomplished previously by Charlotte on 14 March at San Antonio and matched by only five other teams league-wide.
WE LOVE A HOME DUB! #HiveMentality | @NovantHealth pic.twitter.com/H63W5mdggn
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 19, 2025
Ball Shines in Return, Charlotte Shares the Load
Ball concluded the contest with 28 points and 13 assists, shooting 8 of 11 from long range and spending just over 29 minutes on the hardwood. The Hornets were relentless from deep, finishing 24 of 49 on three-point attempts – falling just short of the franchise mark of 26 threes set earlier in the year against the Spurs. Kon Knueppel matched Ball’s output by also scoring 28, hitting 6 of 12 from behind the arc, while Brandon Miller contributed 26, connecting on four of seven perimeter attempts.
| Player | Points | 3PM-A | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaMelo Ball | 28 | 8-11 | 13 | 4 |
| Kon Knueppel | 28 | 6-12 | 7 | 5 |
| Brandon Miller | 26 | 4-7 | 8 | 5 |
| Jalen Johnson (ATL) | 43 | 4-9 | 9 | 11 |
| Trae Young (ATL) | 8 | 0-5 | 10 | 1 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL) | 28 | 4-9 | 2 | 8 |
Hawks Fall Despite Johnson’s Scoring Display
Atlanta’s Trae Young, returning after a knee injury that sidelined him following an MCL sprain at Brooklyn on 29 October, recorded eight points and 10 assists in 20 minutes. Jalen Johnson provided the leading spark for the visitors, falling just shy of a triple-double with a career night of 43 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added a further 28 points for the Hawks, who connected on their own opportunities but could not keep pace with Charlotte’s outside shooting.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Charlotte improved to 9-18 and secured consecutive victories for just the second time this campaign, having previously triumphed in overtime at Cleveland on Sunday. Conversely, Atlanta dropped to 15-13 after having last defeated Philadelphia at home last Sunday. Next, the Hawks will host San Antonio on Friday night, while the Hornets travel to Detroit for a Saturday fixture.
