Charlotte Hornets hold off Washington Wizards 110-103 in NBA matchup

Charlotte Hornets defeated Washington Wizards 110-103 in an NBA matchup on October 27, 2026, using balanced scoring and a late 10-2 run to secure the win. The Hornets led for most of the night but had to survive a fourth-quarter rally before closing the game at the free-throw line.

Charlotte's backcourt controlled the pace, and the Hornets finished with six players scoring in double figures. Washington stayed within striking distance behind strong performances from its veteran scorers, but late turnovers and cold three-point shooting cost the Wizards down the stretch.

Match overview

Charlotte started fast, leading 30-24 after the first quarter and 58-52 at halftime. Washington opened the third quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 61-60 lead, its first advantage since early in the game. The Hornets responded with a 14-4 run and led 84-79 after three quarters.

Washington tied the game at 96 with five minutes left, but Charlotte's defense tightened. The Hornets forced two turnovers and held the Wizards scoreless for nearly three minutes during the decisive 10-2 run.

Key moments

The turning point came immediately after Washington tied the score. Charlotte's star guard hit a step-back three, then found a cutter for a dunk on the next possession. A steal and transition layup pushed the lead to seven, and Washington never recovered.

The Wizards had open looks from beyond the arc but missed two key threes in the final two minutes. Charlotte made its free throws and protected the ball, closing out a valuable home win.

Tactical story

Charlotte's offense was built on pace and ball movement. The Hornets attacked Washington's drop coverage with high ball screens, creating driving lanes and open corner threes. Defensively, they switched on the perimeter and forced Washington into contested jump shots.

Washington's bench gave the team a spark, but the Wizards shot just 9 of 31 from three-point range and committed 15 turnovers. Charlotte won the rebound battle 46-40 and scored 18 fast-break points.

Standout players

LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 27 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Brandon Miller added 21 points and seven rebounds, while Miles Bridges chipped in 18 points. Washington's Jordan Poole scored 25 points, and Kyle Kuzma added 20 points and eight rebounds.

Season impact

The win improves Charlotte's record and gives the Hornets momentum in the Eastern Conference standings. Washington's loss keeps the Wizards chasing in the play-in race. The head-to-head result could matter if the teams finish close in the table.

Charlotte will look to carry its defensive effort into the next game, while Washington must clean up its late-game execution and three-point shooting.