Hornets Rally from 19 Down to Beat Trail Blazers 103-101 Behind Miller and Ball

The Charlotte Hornets showed tremendous resilience Tuesday night in Portland, erasing a 19-point deficit to defeat the Trail Blazers 103-101 in a thrilling comeback victory that brought them back to .500 for the season.

Brandon Miller led the charge with 21 points and eight rebounds, while LaMelo Ball proved clutch when it mattered most, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the decisive fourth quarter. The Hornets trailed 43-24 in the second quarter but completely flipped the script by holding Portland to just 19 points in the final frame.

Rookies Shine in Crucial Moments

Charlotte’s rookie class played a pivotal role in the comeback victory. Kon Knueppel added 15 points and five rebounds while connecting on four 3-pointers, but his biggest contribution came on defense. With under 13 seconds remaining and the game hanging in the balance, Knueppel stepped up to take a crucial charge against Jerami Grant‘s drive to the basket, effectively sealing the victory for Charlotte.

Ryan Kalkbrenner provided valuable support off the bench with 13 points and six rebounds, showcasing increased confidence and physicality as the season progresses. Sion James also contributed 11 points and seven rebounds while capably running the point during extended minutes with Ball in foul trouble.

The Trail Blazers controlled the first half behind strong performances from Jerami Grant, who finished with 24 points on efficient 7-of-10 shooting, and Deni Avdija, who contributed 22 points. Scoot Henderson added 14 points off the bench, while Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan each scored 11 points.

Fourth Quarter Heroics Secure Victory

Portland maintained their nine-point halftime advantage well into the second half, but Charlotte’s persistence finally paid dividends in the fourth quarter. Ball, fresh off an extended rest due to foul trouble, powered a crucial run that put the Hornets ahead for the first time since the early minutes.

The final moments proved dramatic as the lead changed hands multiple times. Miles Bridges, despite struggling for most of the game, delivered key plays down the stretch on both ends of the floor. After Knueppel’s game-changing charge, Bridges made it a three-point game with a pair of free throws, setting up Charlotte’s final defensive stand.

The Hornets secured the victory when Camara threw the inbound pass out of bounds, allowing Miller to clinch the game with free throws. Henderson’s half-court buzzer beater provided the final margin, but Charlotte had already secured their most impressive comeback of the season.

The Hornets next visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, while Portland hosts the Utah Jazz on Friday.