LaMelo Ball dominates with 30 points in Hornets victory over Kings
LaMelo Ball leads Charlotte to a 117-109 victory against Sacramento. The All-Star guard scores 30 points including 20 in the first half, helping the Hornets win in Sacramento for the first time in over two years.
Mar 11, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) smiles and gestures after scoring a three point basket against the Sacramento King during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
LaMelo Ball delivered a high-level performance Wednesday night in Sacramento, scoring 30 points in the Charlotte Hornets‘ 117-109 victory over the Kings. The star guard was particularly effective in the first half with 20 points, setting the foundation for his team’s success.
Moussa Diabaté scored 2 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while rookie Kon Knueppel added 24 points and Brandon Miller contributed 20 points. This victory allows the Hornets to return to winning ways in Sacramento, a first in over two years on the Kings’ court.
LaMelo had Russ & Malik Monk laughing on the bench. 🤣🤣
(via @ESPNNBA)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 12, 2026
Ball sets the tempo with six 3-pointers
Ball showed remarkable accuracy from 3-point range, converting six attempts on the night, finishing 10-for-22 from the field. Charlotte’s point guard also contributed with six rebounds and five assists, demonstrating his usual versatility.
The Hornets took control of the game in the third quarter after trailing for much of the first half. The alley-oop pass to Miller gave Charlotte an 88-83 lead, before a White three-pointer early in the fourth quarter extended the margin to 99-88.
Despite a Kings comeback to 108-100 with three minutes remaining, Ball sealed the victory with his sixth 3-pointer of the night and a pair of free throws. On Sacramento’s side, DeMar DeRozan shined individually with 39 points, passing legend Tim Duncan for 18th place on the NBA all-time scoring list with 26,505 points.
The Kings, without Russell Westbrook (quadriceps contusion), saw their two-game winning streak end. Nique Clifford (18 points, 7 assists) and Precious Achiuwa (14 points, 8 rebounds) tried to keep Sacramento in the game, but the Hornets’ offensive efficiency made the difference in crucial moments.
Kon Knueppel
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With a background in sports management, Nicolas Flamecourt covers NBA news with a particular passion for the North American league, which he has been following for several years. He also covers the NCAA, including news and scouting of future prospects, and regularly conducts interviews with French players as well as players competing in Europe.
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