Miller and Diabaté power Charlotte past Washington

Charlotte held off a Washington fightback to claim their third win in four games, 110–103 at the Spectrum Center on Monday 26 October. Brandon Miller scored 39 points and Moussa Diabaté pulled down 17 rebounds, 11 of them offensive. The Hornets built their lead in the middle of the game, then had to protect their final possessions against Anthony Davis and Trae Young. The Wizards now stand at two wins and two defeats.

Charlotte build a lead, Washington come back

The start gave no hint of an easy night for the Hornets. Washington won the first quarter 21–19. Charlotte answered by taking the second 35–23, heading into the break ten points clear (54–44). That change of tempo gave the hosts a cushion the Wizards then had to chase.

The Hornets stretched it further in the third period, which they won 26–24, and led 80–68 going into the final twelve minutes. But Washington scored 35 points in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 103–100 late on. Charlotte kept enough of a lead to close out 110–103, despite losing that last period 30–35.

Miller scores, Diabaté extends possessions

Miller finished 15 of 28 from the field, including 5 of 10 from three-point range, and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. His 39 points came with 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. His total and his accuracy from range provided the main offensive foundation for a side that finished shooting 43.3% from the field.

The other difference came in the number of shots taken. The Hornets grabbed 20 offensive rebounds, 11 of them by Diabaté. The big man recorded a double-double with 11 points and 17 rebounds, along with 3 assists and 3 blocks. He made 4 of his 6 shots and played 35 minutes.

That allowed Charlotte to attempt 97 shots, against 85 for Washington. The Wizards were in fact the more accurate side from the field, with 41 makes on 85 attempts (48.2%), against 42 on 97 for the Hornets. Charlotte's extra possessions weighed heavily in a game decided by only seven points.

Naz Reid added 18 points and 12 rebounds. Grayson Allen contributed 15 points off the bench, including a perfect 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. Charlotte also benefited from 5 assists from Dennis Schröder and 5 rebounds from Tidjane Salaün.

Davis and Young not enough

Anthony Davis led the Wizards' attack with 29 points on 11 of 22 shooting, plus 10 rebounds. Trae Young racked up 22 points and 10 assists, while Kyshawn George scored 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting. Alex Sarr added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Those four players combined for 83 of Washington's 103 points. The bench produced just 17. From three-point range, the Wizards made 9 of 28, against 12 of 39 for Charlotte. Their push in the final quarter brought the game back within reach, but did not erase the deficit built up over the previous two periods.

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