Hornets Rally Past Timberwolves with Second-Half Surge

LaMelo Ball's 35 points lead Charlotte to fourth straight win

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:24am

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The Charlotte Hornets overcame a halftime deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-108 on Sunday evening. LaMelo Ball scored 35 points and Miles Bridges added 25 as the Hornets outscored the Timberwolves 67-48 in the second half to secure the victory.

Why it matters

The win extends the Hornets' winning streak to four games, keeping them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the loss is a setback for the Timberwolves, who are trying to maintain their position in the Western Conference standings.

The details

The Timberwolves led 60-55 at halftime, thanks in part to a 15-point second quarter from Bones Hyland off the bench. But the Hornets took control in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 9-0 run to take the lead and then pulling away in the fourth quarter with a 16-6 run. Ball and Bridges were the catalysts for the Hornets' offense, combining for 60 points.

  • The Hornets outscored the Timberwolves 67-48 in the second half.
  • Charlotte opened the fourth quarter on a 16-6 run to increase its lead to 20 points.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard scored 35 points on 13-for-22 shooting to lead Charlotte to the victory.

Miles Bridges

The Hornets' forward added 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in the win.

Julius Randle

The Timberwolves' forward scored 26 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the losing effort.

Bones Hyland

The Timberwolves' reserve guard scored 18 points off the bench.

Rudy Gobert

The Timberwolves' center recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with that same energy and intensity in the second half if we want to win games against good teams like the Timberwolves.”

— LaMelo Ball, Hornets Guard

“We had a good first half, but we couldn't sustain it. The Hornets made the plays they needed to in the second half to get the win.”

— Julius Randle, Timberwolves Forward

What’s next

The Hornets will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night. The Timberwolves will try to bounce back when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The Hornets' second-half surge demonstrated their ability to make adjustments and take control of a game, a valuable trait as they push for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves' inability to maintain their first-half lead highlights the need for more consistency if they want to solidify their position in the Western Conference standings.