Charlotte Hornets outdone by Los Angeles Clippers
The Charlotte Hornets put up a fight but ultimately fell short against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Monday evening, falling by a final score of 119-117.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the way for Charlotte with 28 points, while Paul George carried the Clippers with 19 points of his own.
With the loss, the Hornets are now 7-17 on the season.
What went right for the Charlotte Hornets?
The “big three” stepped up
Kelly Oubre Jr., Terry Rozier, and P.J. Washington all stepped up in a major way for the Hornets, combining for 76 points, 16 rebounds, and 14 assists. Without LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward, the trio of Oubre Jr., Rozier, and Washington represents Charlotte’s three leading scorers, and having all three playing at a high level at the same time is a major boon to Charlotte’s chances in any game.
Another Nick Richards double double
Nick Richards had an excellent game, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 5/6 from the field. Richards has now posted six double doubles this season after not having posted one during his first two years with the Hornets.
What went wrong for the Charlotte Hornets?
Closing games in clutch time
A familiar story played out yet again as the Hornets were unable to finish a game in which they held a late lead. This time, the Hornets squandered a six-point lead after three quarters and were outscored by eight points in the fourth quarter on the way to a loss.
After falling behind early in the final period, Charlotte fought back and held a two-point advantage with less than one minute left in the game. However, two shots from Kawhi Leonard provided the Clippers with the final margin of victory.
Charlotte’s futility against the Clippers continues
With last night’s loss, the Hornets have now lost nine straight games and 15 of their last 16 games against the Clippers.
Charlotte’s last win over the Clippers came on November 18th, 2017, meaning that the Clippers represent Charlotte’s longest winning drought against any team.
Amazingly, Charlotte’s worst record against an opponent since returning to the “Hornets” name (2014-15 – present) and their worst record in their current iteration (2004-05 – present) are against the Clippers.
What is next for the Charlotte Hornets?
Wednesday, December 7th- at Brooklyn Nets (7:30 p.m. ET)