The Charlotte Hornets erupted for a franchise-record 26 three-pointers in a 134-90 demolition of the Sacramento Kings, who suited up only eight players due to a staggering 10 being listed out. In the process, LaMelo Ball vaulted past Dell Curry into second place on the Hornets’ all-time three-point leaderboard, a poignant milestone coming just days after Curry’s No. 30 jersey retirement.
The Sacramento Kings arrived in Charlotte as a walking wounded, and the Hornets exploited the mismatch with relentless perimeter shooting. Charlotte’s 26 three-pointers tied a franchise record previously set on March 14, 2025, in a high-scoring affair against the San Antonio Spurs. This offensive explosion powered the Hornets to their fourth consecutive win and sixth victory in seven games, underscoring a team peaking at the ideal moment.
The final score, 134-90, was confirmed by Yahoo Sports. Charlotte shot 47.3% from deep (26-of-55), while Sacramento could muster only 40.7% overall from the field, a testament to the Hornets’ defensive pressure and the Kings’ lack of usable bodies.
Guarding the弧 became a nightmare for the undermanned Kings, as four Hornets players drained at least three triples. LaMelo Ball led the charge with 6-of-13 from three, finishing with 20 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. His performance was historic: by sinking his sixth three-pointer, Ball passed Dell Curry for second place on the Hornets’ all-time three-pointers made list. Ball, the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, now trails only four-time All-Star Kemba Walker on the franchise leaderboard.
This milestone carries added weight given Curry’s recent honor. The organization retired Curry’s No. 30 jersey in a ceremony celebrated in detailed reporting, making Ball’s ascent a symbolic passing of the torch in Charlotte.
Supporting Ball’s effort was a quartet of sharp shooters. Coby White erupted for 27 points on 6-of-8 shooting from three, while Kon Knueppel added 4-of-7 from deep and Brandon Miller chipped in 3-of-10. This balanced attack eviscerated a Kings defense forced to start nine different lineups over the past month.
The Hornets (38-34) now occupy ninth place in the Eastern Conference but sit just 2.5 games behind fifth-seeded Miami. Their ability to score in bunches, particularly from the three-point line, transforms them from a possible play-in team to a dangerous first-round upset candidate if they can maintain this pace. Ball’s evolution into a premier playmaker and scorer aligns perfectly with this offensive surge.
Meanwhile, the Kings (19-54) presented a tragic spectacle, dressing only eight players—the league minimum—with 10 players officially out. This roster depletion is no accident; it’s the culmination of a season-long injury catastrophe. Key contributors Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and De’Andre Hunter all underwent season-ending surgeries, as documented by Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports, and Yahoo Sports. Their absence crippled a team already reeling from a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak.
Despite a brief flicker of resilience—a 7-7 stretch from Feb. 23 to March 22—the Kings’ 44-point loss exposed the vast gulf between their depleted roster and a fully armed Hornets squad. Veteran Malik Monk, a former Hornet, was held to 7 points on 3-of-13 shooting after scoring 32 the prior game, though he did dish out a career-high 14 assists. Such nights are becoming the norm for Sacramento, a team actively tanking toward the draft lottery while enduring a franchise-worst campaign.
The implications are clear. For Charlotte, this three-point barrage validates their offensive identity and suggests they can compensate for defensive lapses with explosive scoring. Ball’s milestone cements his status as the franchise cornerstone, and his synergy with White and Miller hints at a bright future. For Sacramento, the injury crisis accelerates a rebuild already in disarray; with LaVine, Sabonis, and Hunter sidelined, their focus has shifted entirely to the upcoming draft, where they’ll seek a talent to reverse their fortunes.
Fans of both teams are left with compelling narratives. Hornets enthusiasts dream of a playoff run fueled by this perimeter firepower, while Kings supporters must reconcile the short-term pain with long-term gain. This game wasn’t just a box score—it was a snapshot of two franchises at opposite ends of the NBA spectrum.
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