Hornets Soar Past Suns in Phoenix

Charlotte extends road winning streak to 9 games with victory over struggling Suns

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Charlotte Hornets continued their impressive road dominance, defeating the Phoenix Suns 114-106 on Sunday. Led by their dynamic scoring trio of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel, the Hornets extended their road winning streak to 9 games and handed the Suns their 5th loss in their last 9 contests.

Why it matters

The Hornets' road success has been a key factor in their rise to the top of the Eastern Conference standings, while the Suns' recent struggles have raised questions about their ability to maintain their position in the West. This matchup highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams as the playoff push heats up.

The details

Charlotte dominated the boards, outrebounding Phoenix 48-35, and shot an efficient 48% from the field. LaMelo Ball led the way with 27 points and 11 assists, while Brandon Miller added 22 points and Kon Knueppel chipped in 18. For the Suns, Devin Booker scored 29 points but received little support, as Jalen Green was held to just 12 points and Dillon Brooks remained sidelined with a hand injury.

  • The Hornets have now won 8 straight road games.
  • The Suns have gone 4-5 since the All-Star break.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard who led the team with 27 points and 11 assists.

Brandon Miller

The Hornets' second-leading scorer with 22 points in the win.

Kon Knueppel

The third member of the Hornets' high-powered scoring trio, contributing 18 points.

Devin Booker

The Suns' leading scorer with 29 points, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the balanced Hornets attack.

Dillon Brooks

The Suns' starting forward who missed the game due to a hand injury, further hampering Phoenix's efforts.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough test, but our guys stepped up and played with the kind of energy and focus that has carried us on the road all season long.”

— Steve Clifford, Hornets Head Coach (Charlotte Observer)

“We just couldn't find a way to slow them down tonight. Credit to Charlotte, they came in here and took care of business.”

— Monty Williams, Suns Head Coach (Arizona Republic)

What’s next

The Hornets will look to extend their road winning streak to 10 games when they visit the Rockets on Tuesday. The Suns, meanwhile, will try to get back on track at home against the Pelicans on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The Hornets' impressive road success has established them as one of the NBA's elite teams, while the Suns' recent struggles have raised concerns about their ability to maintain their position in the Western Conference playoff race. This matchup highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams as the playoff push intensifies.