Hornets 122, Timberwolves 108: LaMelo Ball leads Charlotte

The Charlotte Hornets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-108 on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Target Center, with LaMelo Ball leading the way with 35 points and eight assists. Charlotte used a strong third quarter and efficient perimeter shooting to take control and finish a valuable road win.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Charlotte started sharply and moved in front 29-21 after one quarter. The Hornets created quality looks early, while Minnesota had trouble matching that pace on the offensive end. Ball helped organize the attack as Charlotte established an early eight-point edge.

Second Quarter

Minnesota answered with its best stretch of the night in the second. The Timberwolves outscored the Hornets 39-26 in the period to take a 60-55 lead into halftime. Julius Randle provided much of that lift, and Minnesota’s offense found better rhythm both inside and from three-point range.

Third Quarter

The game turned decisively in the third. Charlotte outscored Minnesota 34-19 in the period, flipping a five-point halftime deficit into an 89-79 advantage entering the fourth. The Hornets tightened up defensively, won possessions on the glass, and generated clean three-point opportunities that shifted momentum back to the visitors.

Fourth Quarter

Minnesota tried to stay within reach, but Charlotte did not give back the lead. The Hornets added 33 points in the fourth quarter and matched every push from the Timberwolves, closing out the 14-point win behind balanced offense and steady execution late.

Key Performers

Charlotte Hornets
LaMelo Ball was the standout performer, finishing with 35 points and eight assists while leading all scorers. Moussa Diabate added a team-high nine rebounds, and Charlotte’s offense as a whole was highly productive, posting 31 assists and shooting 48.9% from the field.

The Hornets also made a major impact from beyond the arc, hitting 19 of 45 three-point attempts for 42.2%. That outside shooting gave Charlotte enough spacing to keep Minnesota’s defense under pressure for most of the second half.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Julius Randle led Minnesota with 26 points and added eight rebounds. Rudy Gobert paced the Timberwolves on the glass with 10 rebounds, while Bones Hyland recorded a team-high six assists. Minnesota shot a respectable 45.8% overall and made 14 threes, but the Timberwolves could not keep up with Charlotte’s efficiency and volume from long range.

NerdSports Stat: Charlotte finished plus-15 from three-point range alone, making five more threes than Minnesota while also outscoring the Timberwolves by 14 overall.

Game Analysis

This game largely came down to shot profile, ball movement, and Charlotte’s third-quarter response. The Hornets finished with advantages in rebounds (46-39), assists (31-24), field-goal percentage (48.9% to 45.8%), and three-point makes (19-14). Those edges added up over four quarters, especially once Charlotte regained control after halftime.

Minnesota’s second quarter showed what the game could look like when its offense was flowing, but the Timberwolves were not able to sustain that level. Their 19-point third quarter opened the door for Charlotte to pull away, and the Hornets took advantage with disciplined execution on both ends.

Ball’s production stood out not only because of the scoring total, but because of how he directed the game. His eight assists helped keep the offense organized, and Charlotte consistently found productive possessions rather than relying on isolation. That steadiness was a major factor in turning a halftime deficit into a comfortable finish.

Closing Context

With the win, Charlotte moved to 43-36 and strengthened its position heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Minnesota dropped to 46-32, a result that could matter in a crowded Western Conference race as playoff seeding remains unsettled. For the Hornets, this was an efficient road performance at the right time.

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