Hornets Surge Past Timberwolves in Second Half

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

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:10am

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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 seal the victory.

Why it matters

The win extends Charlotte's winning streak to four games and keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Minnesota, meanwhile, was without key players Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels due to injuries, hurting their chances of securing a high seed in the West.

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 stormed back in the second half, going on a 9-0 run to take the lead and then pulling away in the fourth quarter. Charlotte shot 48.9% from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range, while Minnesota struggled at 45.8% overall and 36.8% from deep.

  • The Hornets outscored the Timberwolves 67-48 in the second half.
  • Minnesota led 66-62 early in the third quarter before Charlotte went on a 9-0 run to take the lead.
  • The Hornets opened the fourth quarter on a 16-6 run to increase their lead to 20 points.

The players

LaMelo Ball

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

Miles Bridges

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

Julius Randle

The Timberwolves' leading scorer with 26 points and 8 rebounds.

Bones Hyland

The Timberwolves' bench player scored 18 points, including 15 in the second quarter.

Rudy Gobert

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

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What they’re saying

“We just had to keep our foot on the gas in the second half. Our defense tightened up and we were able to get out in transition.”

— LaMelo Ball, Hornets Guard

“Losing Anthony and Jaden was tough, but we have to find a way to overcome those injuries. We'll regroup and come back stronger next game.”

— Chris Finch, Timberwolves Head Coach

What’s next

The Hornets will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Miami Heat on Tuesday. The Timberwolves will try to bounce back at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Hornets' ability to make second-half adjustments and pull away from opponents, while also highlighting the Timberwolves' struggles to overcome key injuries. Charlotte's hot streak keeps them in the playoff hunt, while Minnesota will need to regroup to maintain their position in the Western Conference standings.