Charlotte Hornets Star Brandon Miller Powers Team To Victory Over Philadelphia 76ers
In a game that was moved up four hours to beat an incoming winter storm, the Charlotte Hornets brought their own blizzard, absolutely burying a depleted Sixers squad 130-93. And standing right in the eye of that storm was Brandon Miller.
Monday afternoon games are usually sleepy affairs. The crowd is still waking up, the players’ routines are thrown off, and the energy can feel a little bit like a library study hall. Not for Miller. The young star looked like he was playing a different sport entirely, dropping a cool 30 points and leading the Hornets to a 50-point lead for the second time this month.
Miller Remains the Hottest Hand In Charlotte
We need to talk about efficiency, folks. In the modern NBA, scoring 30 points is impressive, but usually, it takes volume shooting to get there. Miller didn’t need volume. He needed a laser sight.
Miller shot a ridiculous 9-for-12 from the field. He was launching from deep with the kind of confidence that makes opposing coaches lose sleep, knocking down six three-pointers. It wasn’t just that he scored; it was how easy he made it look. This marks the sixth straight game Miller has led Charlotte in scoring. That’s not a hot streak anymore; that’s just who he is.
He was the engine, the transmission, and the wheels for the Hornets on Monday. Every time Philly tried to claw back a singular inch of momentum, Miller was there to slam the door shut with a jumper that barely rippled the net.
The Sixers’ “Star-Less” Struggles
We have to address the elephant in the room—or rather, the elephants that weren’t in the room. The 76ers rolled into Charlotte without Joel Embiid and Paul George. The official reason? “Injury management.” The unofficial result? A disaster.
Without Embiid anchoring the paint, the Sixers’ defense looked like a turnstile. Without George creating offense, they looked lost. Kelly Oubre Jr. tried to put the team on his back against his former squad, managing 17 points, and Jared McCain chipped in 16, but it was like bringing a plastic spoon to a gunfight.
When you take two All-NBA caliber talents out of the lineup, you expect a drop-off. But giving up 130 points while struggling to crack 93? That’s a morale-killer. Philly has now dropped five of their last seven, and the “process” is looking a little shaky right about now.
That Third Quarter Was Pure Domination
If the first half was a solid performance by Charlotte (leading 69-44), the third quarter was a highlight reel. This is where the game went from “comfortable win” to “stop the fight.”
The Hornets went on a tear that can only be described as merciless. They outscored Philadelphia 40-15 in the period. At one point, the Sixers managed just two points in the first three minutes of the half. You could practically hear the collective groan from the Philly bench.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the starters were chilling on the bench, probably discussing dinner plans, while the lead ballooned to 109-59.
It Wasn’t Just the Miller Show
While Miller grabbed the headlines, he had plenty of help. This was arguably the most balanced attack Charlotte has shown all season. Eight players hit double figures.
LaMelo Ball played the role of conductor perfectly, dishing out 8 assists and scoring 11 points without forcing the issue. And let’s give some love to the big men. Without Embiid in the way, Moussa Diabate and Ryan Kalkbrenner treated the paint like an all-you-can-eat buffet. They combined to shoot 12-for-15 from the field. When your centers are that efficient, and Miller is shooting lights out from deep, you’re simply not going to lose.
Beating the Weather and the Odds
The Hornets have now strung together three straight wins, and they’re doing it with style. Moving the game time up to avoid the snow could have been a distraction. Instead, Charlotte came out focused, sharp, and hungry.
For the Sixers? It’s back to the drawing board. But for Charlotte, and specifically for Miller, Monday was a statement. They didn’t just beat the weather; they brought the thunder.
