Hawks Defeat Hornets 134-102 in Dominating Victory

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Trae Young delivered a stellar performance with 31 points as the Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Charlotte Hornets, 134-102, at the Spectrum Center on March 18, 2025. With this victory, the Hawks completed a sweep of the four-game season series against the Hornets.

The Hawks entered the match still reeling from a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, striving to enhance their position in the playoff hunt. In contrast, the Hornets were undermanned, missing key players LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges due to injuries, alongside Caris LeVert’s absence due to right knee soreness.

Dyson Daniels made an early impression for the Hornets, showcasing his skills with a coast-to-coast drive and an and-one opportunity. However, the Hawks quickly gained momentum, knocking down several three-pointers by Onyeka Okongwu, Trae Young, and Zaccharie Risacher, racing to an early 13-point lead.

Despite the Hornets narrowing the score to two points midway through the first quarter, the Hawks ended the period strong, closing with a 32-25 advantage after a 6-0 run.

The second quarter saw the Hawks momentarily stumble with turnovers, but key shots, including a three-pointer from Terance Mann and an and-one from Young, helped maintain the lead. Okongwu continued his impressive shooting, completing three three-pointers before halftime, leading the Hawks to a commanding 70-57 lead at the break.

Coming out of halftime, the Hawks kept the pressure on, with Risacher sinking three consecutive three-pointers to stretch the lead to 26 points. He finished the third quarter with 16 points, bolstering the Hawks’ advantage to a dominating 100-65 by the end of the quarter.

“We really put it on them in the second half,” Risacher said. “Our energy was contagious, and we were hitting our shots.”

Atlanta’s offensive display continued in the fourth quarter, with Young scoring another nine points. The Hawks enjoyed a lead that swelled to 35 points at one point, showcasing their depth and versatility.

For the Hawks, in addition to Young’s scoring, Daniels contributed significantly with 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Risacher ended the game with 21 points. Okongwu rounded out the strong performance with a double-double, finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hornets struggled offensively, with DaQuan Jeffries and Seth Curry leading their scoring efforts with 19 points each. The loss marked an ongoing challenge for Charlotte, which faced an increased burden due to injuries, including backup center Moussa Diabate, who acquired a lower-body injury late in the game.

“We had to adapt, but we just couldn’t find our rhythm tonight,” Hornets coach said post-game. “We have to regroup for our next game.”

Looking forward, the Hawks aim to build on this momentum as they prepare to host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, while the Hornets will face the New York Knicks on Thursday night.