Brandon Miller scored 26 points as the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 112-97 on Wednesday night at FedExForum, reaching a win total higher than all of last season.
The Hornets improved to 20-28 after extending their winning streak to four games, surpassing the 19 wins the franchise posted during the 2024-25 season.
Moussa Diabate delivered a career night with 18 points and 20 rebounds, anchoring Charlotte on both ends while shooting 9-for-10 from the field in the first game of a back-to-back set.
Miles Bridges added 20 points and LaMelo Ball finished with 16 points and four assists as the visitors controlled the game from the opening quarter.
Charlotte set the tone early behind Miller, who scored 14 points in the first quarter as the Hornets jumped out to a 36-28 lead. The margin briefly reached 29-13 late in the period as Memphis struggled to generate consistent offense.
The Hornets held a 62-55 halftime lead after weathering a push from the home team in the second quarter, maintaining a balance between perimeter shooting and interior scoring.
Charlotte continued to apply pressure in the third quarter, opening the half with a steady run and building a double-digit cushion. The Hornets led by 16 entering the fourth, using rebounding and ball movement to limit Memphis’ transition opportunities.
Diabate controlled the paint all night, grabbing seven offensive rebounds and helping Charlotte finish with a 43-29 lead on the glass.
The Hornets shot 49 percent from the field and connected on 17 of 42 attempts from three-point range, while committing 17 turnovers that did little to change the momentum.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 26 points on 10-of-20 shooting, providing consistent scoring as the Grizzlies struggled to keep pace. Cedric Coward added 17 points, but Memphis dropped its fourth straight game.
The Grizzlies fell to 18-27 and remained 12th in the Western Conference standings. The club continues to play without Ja Morant, who will be sidelined for at least three weeks with a left elbow injury.
Memphis shot 46 percent overall and 35 percent from three-point range, but the lack of second-chance opportunities limited its ability to close the gap late.
With the win, Charlotte moved into 11th place in the Eastern Conference and stayed within striking distance of the play-in race.
The Hornets travel to Dallas on Thursday night to continue their road swing. The Grizzlies host New Orleans on Friday as they try to stop their skid.
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