The Charlotte Hornets beat the New York Knicks 110-96 on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Madison Square Garden, with LaMelo Ball leading the visitors with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in a balanced road win. Charlotte took control early and never let New York close the gap for long.

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

First quarter: Charlotte set the tone immediately, outscoring New York 30-20 in the opening period. The Hornets moved the ball well, found rhythm from three-point range, and built a double-digit cushion before the Knicks could settle in offensively.

Second quarter: The Knicks played a more even second period, but Charlotte still edged the frame 27-24. That gave the Hornets a 57-44 halftime lead, with New York still searching for consistent efficiency and second-chance opportunities.

Third quarter: New York showed more life after the break, putting up 29 points, but Charlotte answered with 30 of its own. That sequence was important for the Hornets, who prevented any real momentum shift and carried an 87-73 advantage into the fourth.

Fourth quarter: Both teams scored 23 in the final period, which suited Charlotte just fine. The Hornets managed the lead, avoided a late collapse, and closed out a 14-point win on the road without needing any late comeback response from New York.

Key performers

Charlotte Hornets:
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, pacing a steady offensive effort. Moussa Diabate added a team-high nine rebounds, and the Hornets got enough production across the rotation to finish with 27 assists and 46 total rebounds.

Charlotte also delivered from beyond the arc, making 19 three-pointers on 52 attempts. That perimeter volume and accuracy helped offset a relatively modest individual scoring line at the top, showing how complete the Hornets’ offensive approach was in this one.

New York Knicks:
Miles McBride led the Knicks with 21 points, while Jose Alvarado contributed 16 points and seven assists. Ariel Hukporti pulled down a team-high nine rebounds as New York tried to stay within reach.

The Knicks finished with 25 assists and shot 43.3% from the field, but they were hurt by the gap at the foul line and on the glass. New York made just 5 of 8 free throws and was outrebounded 46-39.

NerdSports Stat: Charlotte scored 57 points in the first half and 53 in the second half, a near-even split that highlights how steady the Hornets were after building their early lead.

Game analysis

This game was largely decided by Charlotte’s early execution and its consistency across all four quarters. The Hornets won the first quarter by 10, then did not lose another quarter by more than zero the rest of the way. That kind of control mattered against a Knicks team that never found the scoring burst needed to apply real pressure.

The three-point line was a major separator. Charlotte went 19-for-52 from deep, while New York finished 13-for-40. That six-made-three difference accounted for 18 points, which was larger than the final margin. The Hornets also created a little more extra value at the foul line, making 13 free throws compared with just five for the Knicks.

Charlotte’s ball movement stood out as well. The Hornets recorded 27 assists on 39 made field goals, a strong indicator of how often they generated quality looks. Even without a 25-point scorer, they got organized offense, timely shot-making, and enough rebounding to stay in front throughout the night.

For New York, the offense had isolated bright spots, especially from McBride and Alvarado, but the Knicks were playing from behind almost the entire evening. Their 20-point first quarter made the rest of the night more difficult, and while they matched Charlotte in the fourth, the deficit was already too large.

Closing context

With the result, Charlotte finished the regular season at 44-38, while New York closed at 53-29. The Hornets will take momentum from a solid road performance into the postseason picture, while the Knicks, despite the loss, remain in strong position in the Eastern Conference after a 53-win campaign and a 30-10 home record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the New York Knicks vs Charlotte Hornets game on April 12, 2026?

Charlotte Hornets defeated New York Knicks 110-96 on April 12, 2026.

How many points did Miles McBride score?

Miles McBride scored 21 points on 43.3% shooting.

What are Charlotte Hornets’s standings after this game?

After the win, Charlotte Hornets sits 44-38 in the Eastern Conference.

Who was the best player in the game?

LaMelo Ball was the standout performer with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.