Hornets stay hot with 2nd-half surge past Timberwolves

Field Level Media|published: Sun 5th April, 21:37 2026

NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Minnesota Timberwolves

Apr 5, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) drives on Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

LaMelo Ball scored 35 points on 13-for-22 shooting and the Charlotte Hornets pulled away for a 122-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday evening in Minneapolis.

Miles Bridges added 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Charlotte (43-36), which won its fourth game in a row. Coby White contributed 17 points off the bench.

Julius Randle scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Minnesota (46-32). Bones Hyland finished with 18 points off the bench, and Rudy Gobert registered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Charlotte shot 48.9% (45 of 92) overall and 42.2% (19 of 45) from 3-point range. Minnesota shot 45.8% (38 of 83) from the field and 36.8% (14 of 38) from deep.

The Hornets outscored the Timberwolves 67-48 in the second half to seal the victory.

Minnesota led by four points early in the second half after Randle made a turnaround jump shot with 9:25 left in the third quarter. That gave the Timberwolves a 66-62 edge.

The Hornets responded with a 9-0 run to seize a 71-66 lead. Ball made a 3-pointer to start the run and Bridges ended it with back-to-back 3-pointers.

Sion James joined the 3-point parade with his own deep shot in the final moments of the third quarter. That gave Charlotte a double-digit advantage at 89-79.

Charlotte opened the fourth quarter on a 16-6 run to increase its lead to 20 points.

Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards missed the game because of inflammation in his right knee. Jaden McDaniels missed the game because of soreness in his left knee.

Minnesota led 60-55 at the half.

The Timberwolves scored 39 points in the second quarter to seize the halftime lead. Hyland got hot and scored 15 points in the second quarter. He made 4 of 5 shots, all from 3-point range.

Charlotte led by eight points at the end of the first quarter. Ball buried a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter, and Grant Williams made a pair of free throws in the final seconds to give the Hornets a 29-21 advantage.

-Field Level Media

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