Kemba drops 41 points as the Charlotte Hornets top the Indiana Pacers, 133-126

A 49-point first quarter set the pace for the Charlotte Hornets as they beat the all-star Victor Oladipo and the Indiana Pacers.

The Charlotte Hornets (22-29) were able to defeat the Indiana Pacers (29-24) as they picked up their second consecutive victory. Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum combined to score 72 of the Hornets’ 133 points. Charlotte used a record-setting first quarter to lead them to a much-needed statement win.

Cody Zeller returned for the first time since mid-December after missing 27 games with a knee injury. He was on a minutes restriction but he managed to score five points and grab three rebounds in 15 minutes. Marvin Williams (ankle) was the lone inactive player for Charlotte. He missed his second straight game but shouldn’t be out too much longer as his injury isn’t considered serious.

Game Story

The Hornets got out to a fast start with a franchise record 49 points in the first quarter which also set a season-high for any quarter in the NBA this season. They eventually lost their 18-point lead in the third quarter but Kemba’s 28 second-half points carried them past the Pacers. 12 of Charlotte’s 15 three-point field goals were made by Kemba Walker (5) and Nicolas Batum (7).

More from Swarm and Sting

• Hornets: Where does Brandon Miller’s ceiling rank among other rookies?
• Charlotte Hornets grade out mostly average in position-by-position ranking
• Hornets News: P.J. Washington makes bold statement on Brandon Miller
• Grade the mock trade: Hornets snag Tyler Herro, flip Gordon Hayward
• Will the Charlotte Hornets be in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery?

Player of the Game

Kemba Walker finished with a game-high 41 points to go along with nine assists and three rebounds. The Hornets’ point guard went 14-14 from the free throw line and shot 50% from the field. He scored 35+ points for the second game in a row and now has 30+ points in three of his last four outings.

Nicolas Batum scored a season-high 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Frank Kaminsky, who started in place of Marvin Williams, added 15 points, six rebounds and five assists while Jeremy Lamb led Charlotte’s second unit with 14 points off of the bench. Dwight Howard had a double-double with 12 point and 11 boards.

The Pacers were led by Victory Oldaipo who ended the game with 35 points. Myles Turner chipped in with 19 points and 11 rebounds while Bojan Bogdanovic had 18 points. Lance Stephenson (15), Cory Joseph (12) and Darren Collison (10) rounded out Indiana’s double-digit scorers.

Highlight of the Night:

Tweet of the Game:

"Quick Stings"

• Nic Batum made a season-high seven three’s.
• Dwight Howard recorded his 33 double-double of the year and 11th consecutive.
• Kemba scored 40+ points for the third time this season.
• Charlotte out-rebounded Indiana, 43-31.
• The Hornets tied a season-high with 133 points.

With the win, Charlotte improves to 1-1 in their season series against Indiana. The Hornets have now won four straight home games versus the Pacers and snapped a two-game regular-season losing streak to IND. They will next meet in the Queen City on April 8th.

Next: Why can't Charlotte finish games in the clutch?

In their next outing, the Hornets will hit the road to take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, February 4th in the first game of a four-game road trip. This will be the first meeting between these two sides so far this season. Steve Clifford’s side will look to extend their win streak to three games.