Hornets' LaMelo Ball Dazzles Despite Loss to Wizards in Washington

In a closely contested game at the Capital One Arena, the Charlotte Hornets fell short against the Washington Wizards, with a final score of 114-123. The Hornets now stand at 7-20 for the season, while this victory brings the Wizards to a 4-21 record. Despite their efforts and leading for over 16 minutes of playtime, Charlotte couldn't maintain their biggest lead of seven points, ultimately succumbing to Washington's offensive push in the fourth quarter.

Charlotte's Standout Performances

LaMelo Ball led the charge for the Hornets with an impressive performance, scoring 34 points and dishing out 13 assists. His contribution was pivotal in keeping Charlotte competitive throughout the game. Ball also managed four steals and secured four rebounds, showcasing his all-around game despite shooting only 34 percent from the field.

Other notable performances came from Miles Bridges and Mark Williams, each adding 16 points to Charlotte's tally. Williams also made his presence felt on defense with one block and one steal while grabbing eight rebounds. Cody Martin contributed significantly offensively as well with 14 points on an efficient shooting night.

Wizards' Key Contributions

The Wizards found success through a balanced team effort that saw them outscore Charlotte in fast break points by a significant margin (22-10) and capitalize on turnovers. Their bench played a crucial role by contributing an impressive total of 47 points compared to Charlotte's bench output of 35 points.

Washington was led by their ability to convert from beyond the arc, making seventeen three-pointers at a rate of forty percent compared to Charlotte’s eight at nineteen percent efficiency. This sharpshooting proved critical in extending their lead during key moments of the match.

Looking Ahead

The Hornets will look to bounce back when they face off against Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 20th at 7:00 PM EDT. Fans can catch this upcoming matchup live on NBCS-PH or FDSSE as both teams aim for victory before heading into deeper parts of this season.

Share this article if you're excited about what's next for Charlotte Hornets or if you were impressed by LaMelo Ball’s standout performance despite last night’s outcome!