Charlotte Hornets Snap New York Knicks’ Winning Streak, 114-103
The New York Knicks’ seven-game win streak came to an end last night, March 26, 2026, when they went on the road to Charlotte, NC, to battle the Charlotte Hornets. This inter-conference matchup was nothing short of entertaining, as the Hornets extended their win streak to five games on their home court.
The Spectrum Center was buzzing with Hornets fans alongside Knicks fans who made the trip down the East Coast, as the announcers noted a “playoff-like feel” in the atmosphere. Both teams were there to battle to keep their win streak alive, but only one team came out on top, and that was the Hornets.
A Grueling First Quarter
Jalen Brunson got the game going with the first two points of the night by penetrating to the basket for a lay-up. LaMelo Ball pushed the ball up the court quickly, as Brandon Miller was able to put back a missed three-pointer from Kon Knueppel with a slam that ignited the arena. Ball scored 10 points in the first six minutes and finished the game with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
With a little over five minutes to go in the quarter, the Hornets were up by 10 points, 24-14. The Knicks were able to go on a 9-0 run, closing the gap and bringing them to within one behind an explosive offensive performance from Brunson. He scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first quarter and finished the game with a double-double, 26 points and 13 assists.
A 15-5 Knicks run tied the game at 31 with 1:15 left in the first quarter. Miller (21 pts, 8 rebs, 3 ast) hit a corner three to put the Hornets up, and Mohammed Diawara responded on the other end with a three of his own to tie the game again at 34. A tough lay-up by Colby White at the end of the quarter put the Hornets up by 2, 38-36.
Both teams were highly effective early; while the Hornets shot 70% for the field, the Knicks finished the quarter shooting 63.6%.
Hornets’ Defense Shut Down the Knicks’ Star-Duo
The Hornets started the second quarter with back-to-back baskets, extending their lead to four. Karl-Anthony Towns, who had a quiet night, showed off his passing abilities by getting the ball to a cutting Jordan Clarkson for an easy basket. Towns’ double-double streak was also broken as he finished the night with only 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The game was tightly contested. With 3:51 remaining, the Hornets led by only 1 point, 51-50. With under two minutes remaining in the quarter, they were able to extend their lead by eight behind a few made baskets from White, who contributed 17 points to the victory. OG Anunoby was able to stop the bleeding with a three-pointer that brought the Knicks to within 5, making the score 60-55. Anunoby finished the game shooting 5-of-9 (four in the first half) from beyond the arc and contributed 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The Hornets closed the half on a 15-5 run that put them up by 10 at the end of the half, 65-55. After allowing 36 points in the first quarter, the Hornets’ defense tightened, only allowing the Knicks to score 19 points on 47% shooting and no free throw attempts in the second quarter. They also held Brunson to only two points and Towns to only four points.
The Second Half Belonged To the Hornets
The Hornets started the second half with the same vigor as the first, on a pace that was difficult for the Knicks to keep up with. They extended their lead to as many as 21 points before a late Knicks comeback attempt fell short. Knueppel finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. He also became the youngest player to reach 250 made three-pointers in a season.
The Hornets blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Knicks 29-21. A three-point buzzer beater by Grant Williams in the final seconds put the Hornets up 94-76 heading into the fourth quarter.
Josh Hart hit three jumpers from the top of the key to cut the lead to 9 with 1:17 remaining in the game, making the score 112-103. The Knicks weren’t able to score again, as with 40 seconds left, Miles Bridges sealed the victory for the Hornets by grabbing his own miss and finishing with a tomahawk dunk.
FAQ Section
Q: What was the final score?
A: 114-103
Q: Who was the MVP of the game?
A: Kon Knueppel
Q: What was the turning point?
A: Late in the second quarter, when the Hornets broke open a one-point game with a 15-5 run to take a 10-point lead into halftime.
What’s Next For Each Team?
The Knicks (48-26) travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder this Sunday as they continue a crucial four-game road trip against some steep Western Conference competitors. They are in a tight race for the Eastern Conference’s second seed, currently sitting one game behind the Boston Celtics.
The Hornets (39-34) continue their season-long seven-game homestand this weekend as they battle for postseason positioning in the Eastern Conference. Their next matchup will be Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
