Spurs vs. Hornets: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

Miles Bridges @MilesBridges
Great team win!! Keep it going gang 🤞🏽🤞🏽 – 11:39 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
“… The execution out of the timeout was great. Great pass from PJ to Cody and I thought our effort tonight was great. We stuck with it, the game was back and forth, but we found a way to close.” – James Borrego
#AllFly | @HusqvarnaUSA – 11:26 PM

Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James’ 56-point-game vs the Warriors is just five points shy of his career-high 61-point performance with Miami against Charlotte on March 3, 2014 – 11:17 PM

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Lakers 124, Warriors 116
The Lakers win their first game after the All-Star break and maintain a one-game lead over New Orleans for the No. 9 seed. LeBron James was incredible, scoring a season-high 56 points.
Up next: at San Antonio on Monday. – 11:06 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Great vibes after the W 🤟
@Waste_Pro_USA | @LaMelo Ball pic.twitter.com/NY2k3K1edx – 10:53 PM

Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
The Heat, who have 13 of their final 18 at home, beat the Harden-less Sixers and open up a 3-game lead in the East.
Charlotte, who the Celtics will visit Wednesday, moves back into 9th.
SUNDAY
Brooklyn at BOSTON
Phoenix at Milwaukee
Toronto at Cleveland pic.twitter.com/Ep3C7ePDyK – 10:17 PM

Frank Isola @TheFrankIsola
Charlotte FC coach Miguel Angel Ramirez has the perfect Pep Guardiola costume for Halloween pic.twitter.com/AXcoAYRtgf – 9:55 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Pop liked how Spurs responded after playing only about a “quarter and a half” in losing to Kings on Thursday:
“They played hard enough to win, they competed well enough to win. Just the end of quarters are still a learning situation for us.” – 9:37 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Terry: 31 PTS, 6 AST, 5 REB
LaMelo: 24 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST
Trez: 15 PTS, 6 REB
PJ: 15 PTS, 5 REB
Kelly: 12 PTS, 3 STL
Cody: 12 PTS, 4 REB
Miles: 10 PTS, 6 AST, 6 REB
#AllFly | @drpepper pic.twitter.com/IoRQzokCfq – 9:35 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Hornets were 14 of 14 from the free throw line in the 4Q, including a 6-of-6 performance by Ball. – 9:32 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
starting a 7 game homestand against LAL on Monday
#PorVida pic.twitter.com/EG3SQv5lIW – 9:32 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“We played hard, but sometimes it doesn’t go our way. That’s not going to break us. We’re going to come back and compete until we break through.” – Keldon on the loss tonight to Charlotte – 9:30 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs are now 3-36 when trailing by 10 points.
They’ve trailed by 10 or more in each of the last 4 games during the losing streak. – 9:29 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“They played hard enough to win, they competed.” – Coach Pop on the Spurs’ loss tonight @ Charlotte.
Pop says the end of quarters are where the Spurs are still struggling, but he expects that with a young team. – 9:27 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs fall to 9-21 in crunch time and 9-23 when losing the 3PT line.
Charlotte won the 3PT line 48-33 tonight – 9:23 PM

Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Spurs drop to 0-32 when trailing after three quarters. Just a ridiculous stat. – 9:21 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Without Cody Martin who guards the opposition’s best player on defensive possessions? Such an important player for this team. Credit to Mason Plumlee on some great defensive switches late in that game.
Hornets with back to back wins for the first time since Jan 29th – 9:21 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
HORNETS WIN!
#AllFly | @NewAmsterdam pic.twitter.com/TlxSXMVJSB – 9:20 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Final: #Hornets 123, Spurs 117
Terry Rozier 31 pts, 6 ast, 5 reb
LaMelo 24 pts, 8 rebs, 7 ast
PJ Washington 15 pts, 5 rebs
Montrezl Harrell 15 pts, 6 rebs
Up next: vs. Brooklyn on Tuesday – 9:20 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs wasted a career-high 33 points from Keldon Johnson. – 9:20 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs keep it close, but fall to the Hornets in the end.
The Spurs are now…
…24-40 overall
…13-21 on the road
…10-18 against the East
…on a 4 game losing streak for the 5th time this season pic.twitter.com/xuUHmzbWWb – 9:20 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs fall, 123-117, to extend their losing streak to 4 games.
They are 0-33 this season when trailing after three quarters.
Pop still stuck at 1,334 regular season wins, one shy of matching Don Nelson’s record. Spurs start a 7-game homestand on Monday against the Lakers. – 9:19 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Whew what a pass by PJ on the back cut to Cody Martin – 9:16 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
STRAIGHT NASTY 😱
@Dejounte Murray | #PorVida pic.twitter.com/VyhedsUkRh – 9:14 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
LaMelo hits two free throws with 55.5 seconds remaining to put #Hornets ahead 119-115. Gregg Popovich calls a timeout. Feels like if the #Hornets can get a stop defensively on this next possession, they can close it out. We’ll see. – 9:13 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
23 points for Dejounte Murray tonight. He’s been the go-to player for San Antonio down the stretch.
12 paint points
7 points from the FT line
4 points from mid-range
Hornets by 4 with 55 seconds left – 9:13 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
Hornets giving up offensive rebounds late in a 4th quarter, stop me if you’ve heard that one before. Doing enough offensively to hold onto the lead for now – 9:09 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
The 34 lead changes tonight are the most in the league this season, per Hornets. – 9:04 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Two not so good teams in crunch time.
The Hornets are 22nd with a 13-17 record.
The Spurs are 29th with a 9-20 record. – 9:01 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Primo skies for the tip-in! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/iVnsltoZls – 9:00 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
stopped on a DIME 😯
@Dejounte Murray | #PorVida pic.twitter.com/GwgyjqCgkn – 8:57 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Technical foul on Kelly Oubre. – 8:53 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
PJ AT THE BUZZER 🚨
@PJ Washington | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/PHReWc5FAX – 8:48 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
DEFENSE OFFENSE
@cody_martin15 | @Drpepper pic.twitter.com/RJWkdjdZsS – 8:47 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
let’s get this dub.
#AllFly | @AthleticBrewing pic.twitter.com/um0XfuSBSt – 8:46 PM

Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Meltdown in the final minute totally undid all the good the Spurs did in that third quarter. Yeesh. – 8:46 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
3Q: Hornets 99, Spurs 97
Spurs are winning FT line and mid-range
Hornets winning 3PT line and paint
Keldon career high 33 points in 3 quarters pic.twitter.com/WHqr5SCbDa – 8:45 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs down 99-97 entering final frame.
Keldon’s 33 points are the most tallied by a Spur this season, and he’s got the 4Q to go. – 8:45 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
KJ WILL NOT BE DENIED 😤
Big Body now has a career-high 3⃣3⃣ PTS!!!
#PorVida pic.twitter.com/sQOmVJiQRz – 8:45 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
End of 3rd Q: #Hornets 99, Spurs 97 – 8:43 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
#Hornets are going to have to work hard in the fourth quarter to pull this out. The Spurs aren’t going away. – 8:42 PM

Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Career high 33 points for Keldon Johnson. One of the best all-around games this dude has ever played. – 8:40 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
New career high 33 points for Keldon Johnson – 8:39 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Keldon Johnson with a career-high 33 points, eclipsing the 32 he scored last week at Washington. – 8:39 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
They get it.
#AllFly | @TIAA pic.twitter.com/zQt8aNifPU – 8:39 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
this smothering swat makes 𝟓𝟎𝟎 for Blockab’s career 🚫👏 pic.twitter.com/d8yZ75sCF5 – 8:37 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
30 point night for Keldon Johnson
Spurs by 3 pic.twitter.com/kzsJmmmUd2 – 8:36 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
defense offense pic.twitter.com/QDZvqjSBmv – 8:34 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Terry Rozier hit with a technical foul by Bennie Adams. – 8:31 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
that feeling when you find an extra McBucket in the bag pic.twitter.com/FJ2KgEQvhV – 8:29 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
click click 📸
#AllFly | @TIAA pic.twitter.com/0RJQloWBv4 – 8:26 PM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
The largest crowd in MLS history (74,479) in Charlotte tonight to watch @CharlotteFC take on @LAGalaxy. pic.twitter.com/EEnnT3qlbz – 8:25 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Update: 26 points for Keldon Johnson pic.twitter.com/G0IqonTz3X – 8:20 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Seattle Standouts 💯 pic.twitter.com/NfEu8Ne65L – 8:18 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
break time in Buzz City
Keldon: 23 PTS (most points scored by a Spur in a half this season
Jakob: 9 PTS
Dejounte & Devin: 7 PTS pic.twitter.com/nuqaH5HQro – 8:12 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Let’s build on this lead. 💪
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/V9vuvU00K4 – 8:04 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Feels like the #Hornets should be up by much more. They’ve led by as many as 10. Game has had 16 lead changes. – 8:04 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
After trailing by 10 – the dreaded double-digit deficit for this team – the Spurs are down by just 62-60 at halftime.
Keldon has 23 points on 10 of 13, including 2 of 3 from downtown. His career high is 32 against the Wizards last week. – 8:03 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half: Hornets 62, Spurs 60
Limited defense allowed in those 1st 24 minutes
Spurs +4 from FT line and +2 from mid-range
Hornets +6 from three and +2 in the paint
Keldon with 23 in the first half pic.twitter.com/Cvl376ZB1U – 8:03 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Krafty Kel 👀 pic.twitter.com/gGVGMgIuXO – 8:02 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
TREZZ
@Montrezl Harrell | @Drpepper pic.twitter.com/AWT7uMR5sN – 8:02 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Halftime: #Hornets 62, Spurs 60
LaMelo 13 pts, 5 rebs, 4 ast
Montrezl Harrell 12 pts, 5 rebs, 2 ast
PJ Washington 10 pts, 4 rebs – 8:02 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Just before halftime the Spurs have trimmed the Hornets’ 10 point lead down to 1 – 7:59 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Spurs enter 3-35 when falling behind by 10 points.
This marks the 4th game in a row of San Antonio falling behind by 10 – 7:53 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
three mo’ for Primo 👌 pic.twitter.com/87KKa74cJj – 7:53 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
21 point first half for Keldon Johnson pic.twitter.com/ebtFrGKER4 – 7:52 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
💪 @Dejounte Murray 💪 pic.twitter.com/W3hbxFsqEE – 7:52 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
LaMelo Ball having the best start to a game since the AS break, really got it going and now leveraging that attention to get Harrell going. That PnR partnership on the offensive end looking as promising as many thought early – 7:46 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Believe that is four dunks for Montrezl Harrell. He tries to hurt the rim on his throw downs. He’s up to 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. – 7:46 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Space Creator 🛸🕺🏻
@LaMelo Ball | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/amyPqCctzS – 7:45 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
That’s twice tonight the #Hornets have run ATOs for PJ Washington. – 7:43 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Keldon going CRAZY!! 🔥🔥🔥
KJ’s 17 of our 30 in the first is his career-high for points in a quarter!
17 PTS | 7-7 FG | 2-2 3PT | 3 REB pic.twitter.com/nWeCNfsTTD – 7:36 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs trail 31-30 after 1Q. Keldon Johnson, seeking to make up for his poor play vs. Kings on Thursday, has 17 points on 7 of 7 from the floor, including 2 of 2 from distance. – 7:35 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
1Q: Hornets by 1
Keldon 17 pts | Washington 7 pts, Oubre Jr. 7 pts
Vassell 7 pts
Spurs +2 from mid-range
Hornets +2 in paint and +1 from FT line
Both teams with 12 points from three – 7:35 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Up 👆 after 👆
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/Y3oQUcaD8k – 7:35 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
End of first quarter: #Hornets 31, Spurs 30
There have been 14 lead changes already.
Kelly Oubre and PJ Washington leading the way with 7 points apiece – 7:33 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
D3VIN VASS3LL 🎯 pic.twitter.com/DXGd8qwAth – 7:33 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Trezz with the cleanup 💥
@Montrezl Harrell | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/9x2zu0mrLi – 7:32 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
17 point first quarter for Keldon Johnson
8 points in the paint
6 points from three
2 points from mid-range
1 FT – 7:31 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
#Hornets might want to guard Keldon Johnson. He has 17 of the Spurs’ 30 points. – 7:31 PM

Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Lonnie Walker with a mini heat check… little bit of a crowd on the pull-up. Like he said post-game the other night, if he hits the first one he’s usually gonna test it out a second time pretty quickly. – 7:30 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
+ with flair 😂 pic.twitter.com/7cjM5OUUtD – 7:29 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
😳 Dev said “I’ll take that!” pic.twitter.com/APBChIjXuP – 7:24 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
M3⃣LO 👌
@LaMelo Ball | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/tVo8FoCXyc – 7:23 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
After logging just a few minutes in the second half against Sacramento, Keldon Johnson has come out aggressive tonight with an 8 point first quarter.
4 paint points
3 points from outside
1 point from the FT line – 7:21 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
First player off the bench tonight: Cody Martin. – 7:19 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
7 early transition points for the Spurs leads to an early Borrego timeout. Seems like one too many guys trying to “Steal” offensive rebounds and guys casually jogging back – 7:17 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Missed dunk for Terry Rozier. That’s two for him over the last week. Gotta be gnawing at him. – 7:14 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Watch a live stream of the game in the Spurs App tonight! 📺📲
https://t.co/8X69XqbuMB pic.twitter.com/zN4izWalpI – 7:13 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Point guard Plumlee with the fastbreak assist to LaMelo for a three. – 7:13 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
Will we see Isaiah Thomas make his home debut tonight? pic.twitter.com/UMdkSJICkL – 7:10 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
first five 🙌
#PorVida pic.twitter.com/Wus4e5xJkm – 7:08 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
The best part of your weekend starts NOW!
📍 – 🏠
🆚 – @San Antonio Spurs
📺 – @HornetsOnBally
📻 – @WFNZ 610 AM/92.7 FM pic.twitter.com/zfAmWx8N0u – 7:03 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
1, 2, 3, Spuuurrrrrrrrrrrrssssss
#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/dasrD4W834 – 6:59 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
focused on the task at hand pic.twitter.com/L69z9k8zxE – 6:54 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
the IT factor 🏁
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/maVWke4Goe – 6:35 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
LaMelo out warming up. He’s looking to bounce back from Wednesday’s tough outing against Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/xCJrM39oLD – 6:28 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
checked the weather in Charlotte and it’s a bit drippy
#ULTRADrip | #PorVida pic.twitter.com/TaVo0hec6a – 6:27 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 pregame coffee 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 pregame coffee pic.twitter.com/EpktzoXZkM – 6:08 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
FIT CHECK
#ULTRADrip | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/VJZyvd5Jd4 – 6:05 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
James Borrego in a reference to one of the best dunks the All-Star game a couple of weeks ago:
“I just hope that LaMelo doesn’t throw (Dejounte) the alley-oop tonight – don’t forget who you are playing with tonight, don’t throw it to the wrong team. Remember that play?” – 5:58 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“He’s getting different looks from defenses. Every night he’s getting everybody’s best challenge & that’s how you grow.” – Coach Borrego on what has changed for LaMelo Ball in terms of how teams are scouting him since the All-Star game.
He anticipates Murray will guard him 2nite – 5:55 PM

Rod Boone @rodboone
It’s 70° outside. It’s Saturday night. And @CharlotteFC is having its home opener a few blocks away. Will be interesting to see what the atmosphere is like tonight with the Spurs in town. pic.twitter.com/a2T1mjHR87 – 5:49 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
INJURY REPORT vs SAS
Gordon Hayward (L Ankle) is out.
James Bouknight (Neck Soreness) is out.
Jalen McDaniels (L Ankle Sprain) is doubtful.
#AllFly | @NovantHealth pic.twitter.com/ZUDrNfruLx – 5:42 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Saturday Night Spurs 🏀
🆚 @Charlotte Hornets
6pm CT
📍 Spectrum Center
📱 Spurs App (SA and Austin markets only)
📺 @CW35SA
📻 @1200WOAI, @kxtn1350 AM & 107.5 FM HD 2 pic.twitter.com/9GCDsfXqMA – 5:40 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“You’ve got to throw them in the fire. If everybody’s going to blitz, they’ve got to figure out how to handle it.” – Coach Pop on how Murray and LaMelo Ball, young All-Stars, learn on the fly when they’re the focal point of an opposing defense. – 5:38 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“I think it’s a big factor tonight, because the Hornets get a lot of their 3s in transition.” – Coach Pop on how turnovers could be key tonight, with both the Spurs and Hornets being two of the better teams in ball security. – 5:35 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“This year he took the biggest leap forward as far as taking over the team, bringing leadership. Bringing it night after night after night, as the guy.” – Coach Pop on Dejounte Murray’s journey to being an All-Star this season. – 5:32 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“He put the work in. He has all the physical tools.” – More Borrego on how hard Dejounte Murray works on his game and Murray being named an All-Star this season.
Borrego used to be an assistant coach with San Antonio before becoming the Head Coach in Charlotte. – 5:30 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
“Dejounte’s made a lot of growth, just to see his IQ, his playmaking,” – Coach Borrego on Dejounte Murray’s improved play.
“Dejounte’s got our full attention tonight.”
He joked he hoped LaMelo doesn’t throw Murray an alley-oop like he did in the All-Star game. – 5:25 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Coach JB is on the mic! 🎙 #SASvsCHA twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 5:19 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
On how Joe Wieskamp’s trust of the Spurs’ developmental process played a part in the club converting his two-way contract into a standard deal:
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… – 5:02 PM

Lonnie Walker @lonniewalker_4
Them cuse boys flustered 😂 @CanesHoops – 3:06 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
making time for our Spurs Fam no matter where we are 💯 pic.twitter.com/YuycZJTqZx – 2:54 PM

Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Spurs have upgraded Walker (back) and Vassell (adductor) from questionable to available for tonight at Hornets. – 2:53 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
@Josh Primo pic.twitter.com/8PLD6buhAB – 2:31 PM

San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Spurs Basketball in Buzz City tonight!
#PorVida pic.twitter.com/MUb3SOu8fA – 1:59 PM

Charlotte Hornets @hornets
All the info you need about tonight’s matchup vs the Spurs, thanks to @sam_perley of https://t.co/BzkRIrrehy!
#AllFly | @LendingTree pic.twitter.com/1JUzA1Migo – 1:52 PM

Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Spurs say Devin Vassell and Lonnie Walker are officially available tonight.
Newly converted Devontae Cacok is on assignment in Austin, where he’ll be joined by the newest two-way acquisitions, DJ Stewart and Robert Woodard II. – 1:33 PM

Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Vassell and Lonnie are available tonight per Spurs.
Cacok, Woodard II, and Stewart Jr. are all out – 1:31 PM

James Plowright @British_Buzz
The Sixers had #TrustTheProcess, now I’m wanting to kickstart a the Hornets new unofficial phrase of #StayTheCourse.
Accompanying this are three values which underpin #StayTheCourse
You know you like it @Charlotte Hornets pic.twitter.com/uOlDaCuFZv – 1:22 PM