Hornets crush Celtics, set franchise record

Charlotte's 29-point win is their largest regular-season victory over Boston

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Charlotte Hornets dominated the Boston Celtics 118-89 on Wednesday night, setting a franchise record for their largest regular-season win over Boston. The Hornets led from start to finish, building a 64-43 halftime lead and never trailing in the game. Rookie Kon Knueppel led Charlotte with 20 points, while Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18 points. The win moved the Hornets above .500 for the first time since October and extended their winning streak to six games, the longest active streak in the NBA.

Why it matters

This blowout win over the Celtics, one of the Eastern Conference's top teams, is a significant milestone for the Hornets as they continue to establish themselves as a force in the NBA. The victory showcases the team's offensive firepower and defensive intensity, which could bode well for their playoff push.

The details

The Hornets opened the game on an 8-0 run as the Celtics missed their first eight shots. Charlotte built a comfortable 64-43 halftime lead, scoring 64 first-half points while committing only two turnovers and holding Boston to 33% shooting. The Hornets' ball security was crucial, as they had only five turnovers leading to just five Celtics points, while Boston gave the ball away 16 times, resulting in 21 Charlotte points.

  • The Hornets' 118-89 win over the Celtics took place on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A rookie for the Charlotte Hornets who led the team with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting and four three-pointers.

Brandon Miller

A Hornets player who scored 18 points and hit two three-pointers, moving him past Devonte Graham for 10th place on the franchise's all-time three-point list.

LaMelo Ball

A Hornets player who contributed 18 points to the team's blowout win over the Celtics.

Coby White

A Hornets player who scored 17 points and provided six assists off the bench after missing the team's previous game.

Derrick White

A Celtics player who scored a game-high 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting with three assists in the loss.

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What’s next

The Hornets will return home to face the Miami Heat on March 6, while the Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks the same night.

The takeaway

This dominant win over the Celtics showcases the Hornets' offensive firepower and defensive intensity, which could be a sign of things to come as the team continues to push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.