Hornets Cruise Past Suns in Runaway Victory

Miles Bridges leads Charlotte with 25 points in dominant home win.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:42am

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An abstract expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, with blurred basketball players' figures and dynamic brushstrokes conveying the intense energy and fast pace of an NBA game.The Hornets' high-octane offense overwhelmed the Suns in a dominant home victory, keeping Charlotte in the hunt for a guaranteed playoff spot.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Hornets cruised to a 127-107 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, led by a 25-point performance from Miles Bridges. Kon Knueppel scored 20 points off the bench, while LaMelo Ball recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists as the Hornets won for the seventh time in their last nine games.

Why it matters

The win keeps the Hornets firmly in the hunt for a guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, as they continue to surge late in the season. The loss is the sixth in the last seven road games for the Suns, who are still jockeying for position in the Western Conference playoff race.

The details

After the Suns jumped out to an early lead, the Hornets cranked up the offense in the second and third quarters, outscoring Phoenix 69-47 during that stretch to take control of the game. Charlotte shot 51.6% from the field, including 12-of-29 from 3-point range. The Hornets' bench also provided a big boost, with Knueppel and Coby White combining for 39 points.

  • The Hornets led 66-60 at halftime after a 9-0 run to end the second quarter.
  • Charlotte opened the second half on a 14-6 run to take an 80-66 lead with 9:11 left in the third quarter.

The players

Miles Bridges

A forward for the Charlotte Hornets who led the team with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 4 three-pointers.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists in the win.

Jalen Green

The Suns' leading scorer with 25 points in the losing effort.

Devin Booker

The Suns' star guard scored 17 of his 22 points in the first half.

Mark Williams

The former Hornets first-round draft pick played 20 minutes off the bench for the Suns.

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What they’re saying

“We must have had a little extra motivation after that loss in Phoenix last month. The guys really stepped up and played a complete game on both ends.”

— James Borrego, Hornets Head Coach

“They just got hot and we couldn't slow them down. We'll need to regroup and play better defense if we want to make a run in the playoffs.”

— Monty Williams, Suns Head Coach

What’s next

The Hornets will look to continue their push for a guaranteed playoff spot when they host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night. The Suns will try to bounce back on the road against the Miami Heat on Sunday.

The takeaway

Charlotte's balanced scoring attack and defensive intensity in the second half proved too much for Phoenix to overcome, as the Hornets solidified their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a convincing home win.