Hornets knock off Knicks to secure Easts ninth seed

Published: Monday, April 13, 2026 at 12:48 am

Hornets Secure Play-In Spot, Defeat Knicks

The Charlotte Hornets secured the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament with a decisive 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks. Key performances from Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Coby White, each contributing 19 points, fueled the Hornets' win. Ball's performance included five three-pointers, seven rebounds, and six assists. Kon Knueppel added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists for Charlotte.

The Knicks, having already clinched the third seed in the East, rested most of their regular starters. Miles McBride led New York with 21 points, while Jose Alvarado scored 16. Kevin McCullar Jr. and Pacome Dadiet each achieved career-highs with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Despite the loss, the Knicks saw Mikal Bridges extend his consecutive games played streak to 638. Bridges, the NBA's active leader in this category, played briefly before being replaced.

The Hornets dominated the game, leading by double digits for much of the second half. They shot 45.9% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. The Knicks, with a different lineup, shot 43.3% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range. Charlotte's strong performance was further highlighted by their 26-12 advantage in second-chance points. The Hornets will now face the Miami Heat in a play-in game on Wednesday. The Knicks will begin their first-round series against the East's sixth seed, either Saturday or Sunday.

BNN's Perspective: The Hornets' victory highlights the importance of consistent performance, even against teams resting key players. While the Knicks' decision to rest their starters is understandable given their playoff position, the Hornets capitalized on the opportunity, demonstrating their readiness for the play-in tournament. This game underscores the unpredictable nature of the NBA and the importance of every team's effort.

Keywords: Hornets, Knicks, NBA, Basketball, Play-in Tournament, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Coby White, Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, Eastern Conference, Miami Heat, Kon Knueppel, Jose Alvarado, Kevin McCullar Jr., Pacome Dadiet, Playoff, Game

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