Hornets Blast Mavericks to Get Back to .500

Charlotte uses strong perimeter shooting to defeat Dallas in lopsided victory.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 8:49am

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The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 117-90 on Tuesday night, led by 17 points from Brandon Miller. The Hornets shot 39.2% from 3-point range, while the Mavericks struggled from beyond the arc, making only 3 of 22 attempts. Charlotte led by as many as 9 points in the first quarter and maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game, with LaMelo Ball contributing 15 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

Why it matters

The win helps the Hornets get back to a .500 record at 31-31, the first time they've been at or above .500 in March since the 2021-22 season. The loss drops the Mavericks to 27-35 on the season, as they continue to struggle without injured star Klay Thompson.

The details

The Hornets used a balanced scoring attack, with 6 players scoring in double figures, including Kon Knueppel (13 points), Sion James (13), Grant Williams (12), Miles Bridges (11), Josh Green (11) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (10). The Mavericks were led by Brandon Williams' 18 points, but they couldn't overcome their poor 3-point shooting.

  • The Hornets led 31-23 after the first quarter, thanks to 6 made 3-pointers.
  • Charlotte held a 57-48 lead at halftime.

The players

Brandon Miller

A Hornets player who scored a team-high 17 points in the win.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star player who contributed 15 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

Brandon Williams

The Mavericks' leading scorer with 18 points, 10 of which came from the free-throw line.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

The Hornets' strong perimeter shooting and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the struggling Mavericks, who continue to search for answers without their injured star player. The win helps Charlotte get back to .500 and keep pace in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.