Charlotte Hornets: 3 Players who Stood out Against Thunder

The Charlotte Hornets did not finish the game how they expected, as the Thunder came from behind and beat the Hornets in the Spectrum Center.

For the second straight year, the Charlotte Hornets have fallen to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets lost a nineteen point lead, and could not finish the game out in the closing stages.

While the Hornets did not win, they still had some players shine, despite this loss. It can only be with hopeful thinking that Coach James Borrego will remember the players who excelled in this game.

Perhaps it is also time for Coach Borrego to try out a different rotation when the team is starting to get hit hard like they were tonight. It is also hard to think that a starter, Marvin Williams, only scored four points.

3. Tony Parker

In this game, Tony Parker went on another scoring streak; he scored seventeen points and also had four assists. Parker is helping the bench unit by providing much-needed scoring for the team while the starters rest.

In the previous three games that Parker has played in, he has averaged 19.9 points per games. This for the Charlotte Hornets is rare because in the past the team would be accustomed to only having five-point games from the backups.

Hopefully, Parker will be okay after he endured an elbow injury as well. The Hornets will need Tony Parker to remain healthy for the games ahead. The team is thriving off of his veteran leadership and energy off the bench.

2. Malik Monk

Malik Monk made a substantial impact in the game, even though he shot right at below fifty percent from the field. Monk finished the game with twenty-one points, while also making four three-pointers.

Monk missed a needed three in the clutch toward the end of the game on a perfectly executed play as well. The young NBA sophomore would then come right back down the court and drain a three later to bring the Hornets within three with five seconds left.

Malik Monk needs more freedom and control of the ball when he is coming off the bench. More plays must be designed for him, so he can get the basketball and develope after making shots.

In the previous two games, Monk is averaging 20.5 points per game off the bench. Could it be time for Monk to earn a role with the starting unit?

1. Kemba Walker 

What is there to be said about our possible MVP candidate? He started out slow with only scoring three points, and was able to finish the game with a decent twenty-one points.

Kemba Walker is currently averaging 29.1 points per game, and the only other players to average more than him now are Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry. Walker has the opportunity to be the league leader in scoring if he remains consistent throughout the NBA season.

The Hornets will look to fix their mistakes from this loss against the Thunder, as they will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. The game against Cleveland will be at home, and the Hornets will have a chance to get on the right track again.