Hornets Extend Win Streak to 8, Beat Rockets 109-99

Rookie Kon Knueppel shines with 24 points in Charlotte's victory

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:55am

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The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Houston Rockets 109-99 on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to eight games. Rookie Kon Knueppel scored 24 points and LaMelo Ball added 20 for the Hornets, who led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter. The Rockets struggled, with Alperen Sengun limited to just 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Why it matters

The Hornets' current eight-game winning streak is their longest since the 1998-99 season, a significant accomplishment for a young team looking to build momentum and confidence. The loss continues a tough stretch for the Rockets, who have now dropped two straight lopsided games.

The details

Charlotte led by 16 points after three quarters, and Brandon Miller contributed the first five points of the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 96-75. A subsequent 5-0 run, including a 3-pointer by Sion James, extended the advantage to 103-81, prompting Houston coach Ime Udoka to substitute his starting lineup. Kevin Durant led Houston with 31 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 17. However, Alperen Sengun, who averages 21.2 points per game, was limited to just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting. Miles Bridges contributed 18 points for the Hornets, and Brandon Miller finished with 11 points despite sitting out the entire second quarter due to three first-quarter fouls.

  • The Hornets' current streak represents their longest since winning nine consecutive games during the 1998-99 season.
  • This marks the second consecutive lopsided defeat for the Rockets, who lost 114-93 to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

The players

Kon Knueppel

A rookie player for the Charlotte Hornets who scored 24 points in the game.

LaMelo Ball

A player for the Charlotte Hornets who scored 20 points in the game.

Kevin Durant

A player for the Houston Rockets who led the team with 31 points.

Alperen Sengun

A player for the Houston Rockets who averages 21.2 points per game but was limited to just 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting in this game.

Ime Udoka

The head coach of the Houston Rockets.

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What’s next

With both teams returning to action on Saturday – the Hornets visiting Atlanta and the Rockets traveling to Oklahoma City – adjustments to their strategies and rotations could be seen as they look to build on the outcome of this game.

The takeaway

The Hornets' impressive eight-game winning streak, their longest in over 26 years, showcases the team's growth and potential. Meanwhile, the Rockets' struggles continue, highlighting the need for adjustments as they look to turn things around in their upcoming matchup.