The Charlotte Hornets secured a victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with a final score of 129-112. The game, played at Capital One Arena, saw the Hornets complete a four-game season sweep against the Wizards. A notable performance by LaMelo Ball for the Hornets, featuring a career-high 10 three-pointers and 37 total points, was instrumental in their win. The Wizards’ efforts were led by Bilal Coulibaly, who scored 15 of his 17 points in the first quarter.
Game Overview and Key Performances
The Hornets and Wizards met for their regular season game, with Charlotte holding a 26-31 record and Washington at 16-39 prior to the matchup.
Charlotte Hornets:
LaMelo Ball was the standout performer, scoring 37 points and making a career-high 10 three-pointers.
Brandon Miller contributed 22 points, including two three-pointers in the third quarter.
Kon Knueppel added 28 points on efficient shooting (10-of-18 from the field, 5-of-9 from three-point range).
Washington Wizards:
Bilal Coulibaly led the team with 17 points, with a significant portion scored early in the game.
Jaden Hardy provided 16 points off the bench.
Kyshawn George added 13 points.
Tre Johnson and Will Riley each scored 11 points.
Jamir Watkins contributed 13 points, making three three-pointers.
The Hornets established a significant lead in the third quarter, extending it to 70-56 after a quick sequence of made three-pointers by Miller and Ball.
Analysis of Scoring and Player Contributions
The scoring breakdown indicates strong offensive output from both teams, though the Hornets' ability to convert from beyond the arc proved decisive.
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Hornets' Three-Point Success: LaMelo Ball's exceptional three-point shooting was a central factor. The team also saw contributions from Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel in this area.
Wizards' Offensive Efforts: Bilal Coulibaly's early scoring set a tone for the Wizards, while Jaden Hardy provided a significant boost from the bench. Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins also contributed to the Wizards' total score.
Key Matchup Dynamics
LaMelo Ball vs. Bilal Coulibaly: The game featured a notable individual duel between Ball's high-scoring performance and Coulibaly's impactful early offensive output.
Depth of Scoring: While Ball was the primary offensive driver for the Hornets, Knueppel and Miller provided substantial support. For the Wizards, a more distributed scoring effort, with contributions from multiple players, was evident.
Game Progression and Notable Moments
The Hornets appeared to control much of the game, particularly after building a lead in the second and third quarters.
Charlotte initiated the second quarter with a 6-0 run, extending their lead to 49-39.
In the third quarter, Miller and Ball quickly made three-pointers within the first four possessions, contributing to a 70-56 scoreline.
The Wizards had moments where they attempted to narrow the deficit, including a scoring sequence by Sharife Cooper.
Post-Game Implications and Future Schedules
The victory secured the season series for the Hornets. Both teams are scheduled to play their next game on Tuesday.
Charlotte Hornets: Next game is at Chicago.
Washington Wizards: Next game is at Atlanta.
With this loss, the Wizards' season record moves to 16-40.
Sources
ESPN: Reports the final score, game details, and key player statistics. (Link:
https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401810677)ESPN (UK): Provides a game recap, highlighting LaMelo Ball's career-high performance and the Hornets' season sweep. (Link:
https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/recap/_/gameId/401810677)Bullets Forever: Offers a recap of the Wizards' loss, detailing the final score and notable player contributions from both teams. (Link:
https://www.bulletsforever.com/washington-wizards-recaps/68242/washington-wizards-charlotte-hornets-nba-game-recap)WJLA: Focuses on LaMelo Ball's career-high three-pointers and their impact on the game's outcome. (Link:
https://wjla.com/sports/washington-wizards/lamelo-ball-career-high-threes-bury-wizards-129-112)FOX Sports: Reiterates the key details of the game, emphasizing Ball's performance and the Hornets' win. (Link:
https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nba/lamelo-ball-hits-careerhigh-10-3s-scores-37-points-to-help-hornets-rout-wizards)Hornets Substack: Provides game notes, including player statistics for Kon Knueppel and context on LaMelo Ball's place in team history. (Link:
https://hornets.substack.com/p/gamenotes-regular-season-game-58-a3c)AOL (via Roundtable): Details player performances, including Kyshawn George, Jaden Hardy, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins. (Link:
https://roundtable.io/sports/nba/wizards/game-day/lamelo-ball-hornets-three-point-shooting-downs-wizards-129-112)
