Key Takeaways:
- LaMelo Ball scored 16 points, dished out seven assists, and claimed six rebounds in his first game back in Charlotte’s starting lineup
- Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 124-97 to secure their fourth win in nine games
- Orlando Magic played without Jalen Suggs, who missed his eighth consecutive game due to a right knee injury
Match Analysis
LaMelo Ball marked his return to the Hornets’ starting line-up in style, producing an all-around display that included 16 points, seven assists, and six rebounds as Charlotte triumphed over the Orlando Magic 124-97 on Thursday night. Ball, who had endured a torrid shooting night against Cleveland previously, hitting just 1 of 15 attempts with 0 for 10 from long range, bounced back by going 6 for 12 from the field and making 4 of 8 three-point shots against Orlando.
Charlotte set the tone early, capitalising on Ball’s fast start. Ball registered eight points in the opening seven minutes, sinking all three of his initial shots – including a pair from beyond the arc – as the Hornets surged to a 35-20 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Ball finished the first half with 11 points in 15 minutes of play, helping Charlotte build a commanding 62-41 lead at the break, shooting 55% (22 for 41) overall and 48% (11 for 23) from deep.
headin' home with a dub‼️ #HiveMentality pic.twitter.com/UXzBCYbOjd
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) January 23, 2026
Balanced Hornets Attack
Brandon Miller paced Charlotte with a 20-point outing, leading a well-distributed offensive effort. Collin Sexton added significant contribution from the bench, scoring 12 of his 19 points in the opening half. Kon Knueppel and Tidjane Salaun each chipped in with 13 points, while Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, and Ryan Kalkbrenner all provided 10 points apiece.
| Hornets Player | Points | Assists | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Miller | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| LaMelo Ball | 16 | 7 | 6 |
| Collin Sexton | 19 | 4 | 0 |
| Kon Knueppel | 13 | 4 | 10 |
| Tidjane Salaun | 13 | 0 | 5 |
| Miles Bridges | 10 | 2 | 8 |
| Moussa Diabate | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Ryan Kalkbrenner | 10 | 0 | 9 |
Magic Struggle in Shooting and Selection
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 23 points, while Desmond Bane contributed 21. Moritz Wagner recorded 14 points, Noah Penda scored 13, and Jeff Howard added 10. However, the Magic faced difficulties offensively, particularly in the first half, where they shot 33% (13 for 40) from the field and 26% (5 for 19) from three-point territory. The Hornets extended their lead to 30 points going into the fourth quarter, ultimately sealing the contest without much resistance from the home side.
The Magic played without guard Jalen Suggs, who missed his eighth straight game due to a right knee issue. Centre Moe Wagner was also sidelined for left knee management but could return to action this weekend.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Hornets are set to host the Washington Wizards on Saturday, while the Magic will look to regroup as they prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home court, also on Saturday.
