A back-and-forth end turns chaotic as Kon Knueppel’s clutch free throws seal a Hornets win regardless of Cooper Flagg’s 49-point evening
The closing 2:30 of the Mavericks and Hornets matchup started with one of many tightest atmospheres of the season. Each groups had fought by way of a fourth quarter full of lead adjustments, locked at 113–113 after Charlotte pushed out 30 fourth-quarter factors and Dallas answered with 28. The end result was a second the place neither facet held momentum lengthy sufficient to really feel snug, establishing a stretch the place each shot, rebound, and whistle held the potential to interrupt the evening open.
Kon Knueppel opened the sequence with a mid-range pull-up that didn’t fall, permitting Dallas to take management of the ball and an opportunity to grab the lead. The Mavericks responded when Max Christie attacked the rim, missed a layup, and watched Daniel Gafford elevate for an important offensive rebound. That effort pressured Charlotte to react rapidly, and Moussa Diabate dedicated a taking pictures foul that despatched Gafford to the road. His first try was good, tying the sport, whereas the second missed and landed in Brandon Miller’s arms, protecting the matchup knotted.
Charlotte then tried to fabricate separation by way of perimeter play. Miles Bridges launched a three-pointer that didn’t join, however Miller’s offensive rebound gave the Hornets renewed life. That additional possession proved important, as a result of it ensured LaMelo Ball would quickly take command, stepping right into a second that signaled the shift in vitality the Hornets wanted to outlive the ultimate minutes.
LaMelo Ball’s Three Places Charlotte Forward Earlier than Flagg Solutions with a Goaltend-Confirmed Layup
With simply over two minutes remaining, the ball swung again to Ball following Miller’s rebound, and he rose right into a three-pointer that pushed Charlotte forward 116–113. The shot was clear and assured, coming from past the arc and constructing on his close to triple-double effort. It was the kind of late-game second Ball has lengthy been recognized for, giving the Hornets a burst exactly when the fourth-quarter stress tightened the strongest round them.
Dallas didn’t hesitate to reply. Cooper Flagg, who had carved by way of Charlotte’s protection all evening, powered into the lane and scored on a driving layup. The basket was upheld after a goaltending name on Diabate, confirming the factors and trimming Charlotte’s result in 116–115. That end contributed to Flagg’s huge 49-point evening, constructed on 20-of-29 taking pictures with 10 rebounds, a efficiency that stored Dallas inside attain whilst Charlotte related on key pictures.
Charlotte reclaimed a little bit of stability at 1:44 when Ball penetrated the protection, drew a number of our bodies towards him, and dropped off a go to Diabate for a dunk. The bucket returned the Hornets to a 118–115 benefit and punctuated Ball’s orchestration of the possession. Moments later, when P.J. Washington attacked the rim, Miller met him on the high of the shot for a clear block regardless of carrying 5 fouls. That single play prevented Dallas from constructing a solution and arrange one other transition alternative for the Hornets.
Max Christie Ties the Rating Earlier than Miller Buries a Nook Three in Response
Dallas discovered recent momentum after Ball missed a layup with simply over a minute left, with Flagg securing the rebound and pushing the Mavericks into one other offensive set. Their persistence paid off when Washington swung the ball to Christie, who knocked down a three-pointer at 1:01 to tie the sport at 118–118. It was a possession constructed on spacing and consciousness, and it introduced Dallas proper again to even because the constructing reached peak depth.
Charlotte’s counterpunch arrived with a few of their most composed execution of the evening. Knueppel’s screening motion freed house for Diabate to obtain the ball on a brief roll, and from there Diabate fired an ideal go to Miller within the nook. With 38 seconds remaining, Miller drilled a three-pointer that pushed Charlotte forward 121–118. It was his seventh make on the evening and an instance of how properly the Hornets balanced their scoring choices late within the sport.
Dallas instantly burned a timeout, understanding that the following possession might decide whether or not the sport prolonged or slipped out of attain. Popping out of the timeout, Flagg reclaimed management of the offense, isolating himself into place for a fast pull-up three. With 33 seconds on the clock, he buried it, tying the rating for the second time in beneath forty seconds. It was the sort of shot anticipated from the most well liked participant on the ground, and it stored Dallas squarely in place to steal the sport in its ultimate seconds.
Charlotte Fails to Convert, Giving Dallas a Probability to Take the Lead within the Remaining Seconds
Charlotte used a timeout of their very own, hoping to fabricate a clear scoring alternative. Their subsequent try got here when Miles Bridges attacked the rim at 27 seconds, however his floating jumper missed. Flagg collected the rebound with authority, giving Dallas the ball with the sport tied and beneath half a minute remaining. With a transparent probability to take the lead, the momentum leaned closely towards the Mavericks for the primary time since Ball’s early-quarter burst.
Dallas arrange their possession methodically, trusting Flagg’s scoring presence and really feel for late-game selections. The ball labored by way of the arms of their key gamers, and the offense settled into deliberate movement that aimed to open house for Flagg or Christie. Charlotte, in the meantime, tightened their defensive alignment, understanding that one cease would possibly create the one alternative left to keep away from additional time or a last-second heartbreak on the street.
Simply seven seconds remained when the possession fractured. Flagg tried to fireplace a go throughout the highest of the ground, however Knueppel broke into the passing lane with good timing. His deflection knocked the ball free, and Sion James grabbed it immediately, igniting what would grow to be essentially the most defining transition alternative of the evening. The tone of the ultimate seconds shifted in a single heartbeat, turning a possible Dallas go-ahead probability right into a scramble retreat.
Knueppel Attracts the Decisive Foul with 4.1 Seconds Left and Steps to the Line In a Tied Recreation
As James pushed the ball forward, Knueppel sprinted down the ground alongside him, making a two-on-one state of affairs towards the Mavericks’ trailing protection. Flagg, hustling to recuperate, collided with Knueppel from behind because the rookie rose towards the basket. The whistle blew with 4.1 seconds remaining, sending Knueppel to the free-throw line for 2 pictures with the rating tied 121–121. It was a sudden reversal from moments earlier, when Dallas had appeared poised to regulate the ending.
Knueppel’s evening had already featured 34 factors and eight three-pointers, however the stress of those two free throws far exceeded any earlier second. His first try fell cleanly, pushing Charlotte forward 122–121 and tightening the stress inside the world. The second dropped simply the identical, cementing a 123–121 lead and shifting all remaining accountability onto the Mavericks’ ultimate possession. The rookie had seized management of the second, delivering the pictures that might finally resolve the sport.
Dallas used a ultimate timeout to advance the ball, giving themselves a final look with 4 seconds left. As anticipated, they positioned the ball in Flagg’s arms, trusting the rookie who had dominated the evening to ship as soon as extra. Charlotte countered with defensive self-discipline, making ready to contest any shot with out risking a foul. With every tick of the clock, the ending pulled itself into focus: one possession, one shot, one final probability to redefine the ultimate 2:30.
Flagg’s Remaining Shot Misses as Charlotte Closes Out a Dramatic End in Dallas
On the ultimate play, Flagg took the inbound go and maneuvered right into a pull-up try from mid-range. Charlotte’s protection collapsed rapidly, with Bridges remaining in entrance of him as Miller stunted into the house simply lengthy sufficient to disrupt the timing. Flagg leaned into the shot beneath heavy stress, and the ball caromed off track because the buzzer sounded. Dallas snagged the rebound, however the horn arrived a beat too early to increase the play.
The defensive sequence mirrored the Hornets’ potential to face up to the Mavericks’ heaviest punch of the evening. Ball, Miller, and Knueppel every contributed crucial moments throughout the ultimate minutes, guaranteeing Charlotte remained regular whilst Flagg broke by way of with one of the vital explosive rookie scoring shows in current reminiscence. Their defensive cohesion over the past possession captured the essence of the sport: a duel outlined by precision and disruption.
The end additionally underscored how Charlotte’s mixture of late taking pictures, well timed stops, and turnover creation allowed them to go away Dallas with a win. From Ball’s deep three to Diabate’s dunk to Miller’s nook shot and Knueppel’s good free throws, the Hornets executed in each manner required to outlive an evening the place Flagg practically seized your complete sport on his personal. The victory prolonged Charlotte’s successful streak to 5 video games and stamped this matchup as one of the vital compelling endings of the season.
