Charlotte Hornets lose game, perhaps more in loss to Washington Wizards

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after he is fouled and injured during the third quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 10: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after he is fouled and injured during the third quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center on October 10, 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Hornets took the floor on Monday night hoping to get the proverbial monkey off their back by securing their first win of the preseason.

Instead, the visiting Washington Wizards emerged with a 116-107 victory, coming back from an eight-point deficit after three quarters and outscoring the home team by a 35-18 margin in the final quarter.

Terry Rozier led the Hornets and all scorers with 24 points on 8/13 shooting from the floor and 5/6 shooting from three-point range.

Washington was led by Kristaps Porzingis, who posted 20 points in just 16 minutes of first-half action.

In a battle of winless teams, the Wizards rode superior three-point shooting to a victory. Washington shot 12/31 from three-point range (38.9%) compared to just 5/18 (27.8%) for Charlotte. After three Rozier three-pointers in the opening frame, the Hornets had just two made three-pointers over the final three quarters, both of which came from JT Thor.

The injury bug stings the Charlotte Hornets

Already playing without PJ Washington, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Cody Martin, the Hornets saw two starters exit the game with injuries.

Mason Plumlee left the contest with a left foot sprain in the second quarter, while LaMelo Ball exited with a left ankle sprain in the third period. Charlotte led 71-65 after Ball made a pair of free throws before leaving the game; however, they were outscored by 15 points in the time after Ball’s departure until the end of the game.

With eight full days to go until the regular season opener on October 19th, the Hornets are taking a cautious approach with both Plumlee and Ball.

Plumlee and Ball’s collective absence for the team’s final preseason game means that Charlotte will go the entire preseason without having its full roster for any game.

What is next for the Charlotte Hornets?

Wednesday, October 12th – at Philadelphia 76ers