Wizards, Hornets out to capitalize on early-season momentum

The Washington Wizards and host Charlotte Hornets have plenty of positives to build on heading into their meeting Monday night.

Both teams won Saturday, providing encouraging signs early in the season.

Still, nothing has come easily for the Hornets in their first two home games. They lost by 47 points to Atlanta before watching a 23-point lead evaporate against Miami, then recovering to win 115-110. Brandon Miller led the way with 34 points against the Heat, matching the third-highest total of his four-year career.

"Every game is not going to be perfect," Miller said. "Our mindset, other teams are going to go on runs and it's how we respond to it."

The Wizards won their road opener 124-120 at Chicago on Saturday, with Trae Young scoring 25 points.

Young will be a familiar opponent for Charlotte after making numerous appearances against the Hornets with the Atlanta Hawks. He has led Washington in scoring in each of the past two games after Anthony Davis poured in 34 points in the opener.

"We were able to establish physicality," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. "We stayed with it, and that was the part that was really great."

Washington also likes what it has seen from Kyshawn George, particularly his ability to defend bigger players, according to Keefe.

"That's why this team is so fun to coach because they want to put the time in," Keefe said. "Kyshawn is right at the top."

No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa has yet to make his Wizards debut while dealing with a left ankle injury. He will miss his fourth consecutive game Monday. Washington has shown depth, however, with 10 players seeing action against Chicago.

In Saturday's victory, the Hornets benefited from late-game contributions by veteran newcomers Naz Reid and Grayson Allen. It was Charlotte's first home win of the season.

"I think they're a big piece of what we're building here," Miller said. "Those are guys who have obviously been to the playoffs and been to places we want to be."

Reid said he recognized how quickly the home crowd had embraced his play. Charlotte's veteran core will look to make an impact in close games as the season progresses.

"We've been in enough of those situations in our past," Reid said. "Knowing how to keep our composure. ... Those are fun, especially with the home crowd."

Hornets coach Charles Lee said the early-season games provide valuable opportunities to evaluate the team, adding that veteran Dennis Schroder has shown he can be a defensive presence.

"Just really impressed with the whole group," Lee said.

Miller has shot 29.7% from the field through three games after shooting nearly 43% for his career.

"That's why you never overreact to shooting numbers or shooting slumps," Lee said. "That guy has a body of work that is just very impressive."

The Hornets played their first three games without Kon Knueppel (hamstring), Coby White (calf) and Grant Williams (hamstring).

Knueppel resumed individual on-court activity nearly a week ago, but no target date has been set for his return.

Charlotte swept the four-game season series in 2025-26 after Washington won the previous five matchups.

--Field Level Media