The Hornets delivered one of the most surprising results of the NBA season Monday night, routing the Thunder 124–97 at Paycom Center despite entering as 15.5-point underdogs. The loss snapped Oklahoma City’s record 24-game winning streak against Eastern Conference opponents.
Charlotte seized control in the second half, fueled by a momentum-shifting third-quarter sequence from LaMelo Ball. Ball converted a difficult corner three while fading out of bounds after a one-handed save, pushing the lead to 74–55 and effectively deflating the arena. The shot energized Charlotte’s bench and marked the turning point in what became a runaway.
Brandon Miller led all scorers with 28 points, knocking down 7 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc. Kon Knueppel provided a major boost off the bench with 23 points, as the Hornets’ perimeter shooting overwhelmed the league’s top-ranked team.
Charlotte finished the night shooting 53 percent from the field and made 19 three-pointers, maintaining consistent offensive pressure while limiting Oklahoma City’s transition opportunities. The Thunder struggled to find rhythm on either end and never mounted a serious response after halftime.
For a Hornets team that has searched for consistency, the performance stood out as one of its most complete efforts of the season. For Oklahoma City, it was a rare off night — and a reminder that even the NBA’s best teams aren’t immune to sharp shooting and momentum swings.
