The Charlotte Hornets, mired in a seven-game losing streak and holding one of the league’s worst records, found a rare moment of relief on Friday night. In the final game of NBA Cup group play, they defeated the visiting Chicago Bulls 123-116 at Spectrum Center. The victory, while not altering either team’s eliminated status from the in-season tournament, provided a much-needed win for a Hornets team that had started the season 4-14. The Bulls, meanwhile, saw their own struggles deepen, dropping their seventh straight contest.
Brandon Miller, playing in just his third game back from a shoulder injury, looked fully comfortable and led all scorers with 27 points, including five three-pointers on 10-of-19 shooting. His backcourt partner, LaMelo Ball, added 16 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, bouncing back from a frustrating defensive outing against New York. The Hornets’ offense was further fueled by a strong bench performance from Collin Sexton, who contributed 21 points, including a crucial putback in the fourth quarter that ignited the home crowd.
Miles Bridges was instrumental in the victory, providing a versatile stat line of 22 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. His nine-point burst early in the fourth quarter was part of a decisive 12-4 run that gave Charlotte the lead for good after the Bulls had briefly gone ahead in the third. Bridges’ scoring consistency, averaging around 20 points per game this season, was on full display. However, his performance comes amidst a backdrop of persistent trade speculation surrounding his future with the franchise.
Multiple reports leading up to the game argued that the time for the Hornets to trade Miles Bridges is now. Analysts point to the team’s rebuilding timeline, which is centered on the younger core of Ball, Miller, and rookie Kon Knueppel. Bridges, while a proven scorer, is seen by some as a stylistic mismatch in an offense built around Ball’s pace and playmaking, especially given his 34% three-point shooting this season on high volume. The argument is that moving the 27-year-old forward could fetch assets for the future and open more minutes for developing players, aligning the roster with its long-term vision.
For the Bulls, the loss highlighted familiar issues. Despite near-triple-double efforts from Josh Giddey (25 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists) and Coby White (25 points), the team’s shooting was abysmal. Chicago connected on only 8 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc, a key factor in their downfall. The frustration boiled over late in the game when Giddey engaged in a heated exchange with a courtside fan, resulting in the fan’s ejection. The defeat leaves Chicago at 9-9, a disappointing slide for a team with postseason aspirations.
The Hornets’ win, while a positive step, doesn’t fundamentally change their challenging season. The victory does, however, showcase the potential of their young stars when healthy. Brandon Miller’s efficient return is a significant bright spot, offering hope for the foundation of the franchise. The ongoing discourse about Miles Bridges underscores the difficult roster decisions facing the front office as they navigate a path out of the league’s basement. For Chicago, the search for consistency and reliable shooting continues as they look to halt their alarming skid.