NBA: Kon Knueppel, Hornets manhandle Celtics for 6th consecutive victory

Kon Knueppel scored 20 points as the visiting Charlotte Hornets defeated the Boston Celtics 118-89 on Wednesday, marking their sixth consecutive victory.

LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each contributed 18 points, while reserve Coby White added 17 points and six assists. Moussa Diabate finished with nine points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Charlotte (32-31) has won each game in the streak by at least 16 points, moving above .500 for the first time since a 2-1 start in October. The Hornets struggled early in the season, losing 14 of their first 18 games, but have posted a 16-3 record in their last 19 contests. Charlotte scored the first eight points and never trailed in the game.

For Boston, Derrick White led all scorers with 29 points. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists but shot just 7 of 19 from the field. No other Celtics player scored more than nine points. Payton Pritchard went scoreless on six field-goal attempts, despite entering the game averaging 17.1 points per game. Boston finished 30 of 79 (38%) from the field, after winning 12 of its previous 14 games.

Charlotte played without Grant Williams (knee) and Tidjane Salaun (knee). Salaun was injured in Tuesday’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks, while Williams was rested on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Hornets built an early 35-23 lead after one quarter and were up 64-43 at halftime, making 12 of 25 three-point attempts in the first half. Boston cut the deficit to 14 points midway through the third quarter on two free throws from Derrick White, but a 12-2 run pushed Charlotte’s lead to 82-58. The Hornets led 91-68 heading into the fourth quarter.

This game opens the teams’ three-game season series. Boston will host Charlotte on March 29, and the Pacers will visit the Celtics on April 7.

—Field Level Media/Reuters