Coach Charles Lee's Charlotte Hornets are 3-1 on the season after an exciting 110-103 home win over the Washington Wizards that included a Steph Curry-inspired three-point record-setting feat by Brandon Miller. Miller, fresh off his Dunk of the Year candidate play against the Nets, dropped 39 points including 5-of-10 three-pointers and 15-of-28 field goals on the night.
The 39 points is a career-high for the former Alabama Crimson Tide star, and announced Miller on the stage as a bona fide rising star on a night when Trae Young and Anthony Davis of the Wizards attempted to crash his party with a bonkers alley-oop dunk at a nearly impossible angle.
Miller played the alpha for the Hornets on a night when Kon Knueppel was held out due to injury and big man Moussa Diabate bailed him out with 17 rebounds. Naz Reid added 12 rebounds of his own on a rough (8-of-22) shooting night, while Grayson Allen dropped 15 points off the bench including 7-of-7 free throws.
Article Continues BelowMiller is hoping to prove himself worthy of a $209 million extension that will keep him in Charlotte through the 2031-2032 season. Observers have been skeptical on the Hornets leading into this season, questioning their move to deal LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Hornets remain undeterred in the face of skepticism and doubt, heading toward Wednesday's game against the 3-0 Detroit Pistons. Miller is taking a “leap” that many inside the Hornets franchise, including Lee, thought he could before the season. The fact that they're winning without Knueppel shows that Miller and Lee could have something special brewing in Buzz City.