Terry Rozier’s stellar fourth-quarter performance, scoring 14 of his 34 total points, led the Charlotte Hornets to a 111-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. This win brought an end to the Hornets’ 11-game losing streak, with Rozier also contributing six assists.
The Hornets turned the tide in the final quarter, outscoring the Kings 36-26 and sealing the game with a decisive 10-0 run. Miles Bridges supported the effort with 27 points, while P.J. Washington added 17.
The Kings were led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 30 points, including a crucial 12 in the fourth quarter. Domantas Sabonis continued his impressive form with 23 points and 19 rebounds, marking his 15th consecutive double-double, tying for the longest streak in the NBA this season. However, Sabonis also committed 11 turnovers, contributing significantly to Sacramento’s season-high of 21.
Washington’s two-handed dunk in the last minute of the game gave the Hornets their first lead in the fourth quarter, followed by Cody Martin’s key layup after the Kings’ 20th turnover.
While Sacramento outrebounded Charlotte 47-35, they struggled with their shooting, hitting just 43.5% from the field. In contrast, Charlotte shot 51.2%.
The game saw fluctuating leads, with the Kings initially taking control with a 16-2 run, but the Hornets responded with a 17-3 spurt to end the first quarter ahead. Sacramento regained the lead at halftime and maintained it after three quarters, but ultimately fell short.
The Hornets faced several absences, including rookie Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, and Frank Ntilikina, while Rozier returned after sitting out the previous game due to illness.
Looking ahead, the Hornets will face the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, while the Kings host the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Rozier’s late-game heroics, combined with strong performances from Bridges and Washington, gave the Hornets a much-needed victory, while the Kings will look to bounce back from this setback in their next matchup.
