Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Recap: Charlotte Hornets fall to Denver Nuggets

By Evan Birchmore

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 28: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 28: Mason Plumlee #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Spectrum Center on March 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets played the second game of a back-to-back tonight and suffered a tough home loss to the Denver Nuggets. One night after notching a victory on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte did not have enough gas in the tank to get across the finish line in tonight’s matchup.

For Denver, MVP candidate Nikola Jokic had yet another monster game with 26 points, 11 assists, and 19 rebounds and now leads the NBA with 19 triple-doubles. Jokic’s 19 rebounds is tied for his fifth-highest total this season, while Denver’s 17 offensive rebounds is tied for the sixth-most allowed by Charlotte this season. Meanwhile, Aaron Gordon had 17 points in the first quarter, the most points for any Nuggets player other than Jokic in any quarter of any game this season.

The rebounding advantage may not have been so impactful had Montrezl Harrell not been ejected at the 3:59 mark of the third quarter. While ejections are always somewhat subjective, this instance seemed to be a particularly quick ejection. Harrell managed to grab five rebounds in only fifteen minutes and his absence was noticeable as Denver gained control of the glass without him on the floor.

Even with Gordon’s hot start, Harrell’s ejection, and Jokic’s performance, Charlotte was still in position to steal the win in the closing minutes. With 3:36 remaining, Jokic made a layup to make it a 107-104 Nuggets lead. From that point until the 1:25 mark neither team would score, as the Hornets missed all four of their shot attempts in that stretch. Charlotte made a final push as Terry Rozier made a three-pointer with 32.9 seconds remaining to make it a two-point deficit. The Hornets got the defensive stop they needed on the ensuing possession but gave up yet another offensive rebound, leading to two Jokic free throws that sealed the win for Denver.

Charlotte gave a valiant effort tonight but the short rest and the presence of Jokic prove too much to overcome. Next up for the Hornets is road contest on Wednesday night against the Knicks, winners of four straight.

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