DENVER (Interstat) — The Charlotte Hornets built a massive first-half lead and cruised to a 110-87 road victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday at Ball Arena, flipping the result from their meeting last month. Charlotte raced to a 33-point first quarter and led 60-34 at halftime, never letting Denver within striking distance. The Nuggets, favored by three points at home, saw a late 30-point fourth quarter come far too late. The loss dropped Denver to 29-14. Charlotte, which lost to Denver in December, improved to 16-27 before an announced crowd of 19,971. The teams combined for a total of 197 points, well under the over/under line of 230.5.

DENVER (Interstat) — Brandon Miller scored 23 points and the Charlotte Hornets delivered a stunningly dominant wire-to-wire victory, dismantling the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets 110-87 on Sunday night at Ball Arena. From the opening tip, the Hornets seized control against a Denver team missing several key contributors. Charlotte opened the game on a 12-0 run, fueled by early three-pointers from Miller and Kon Knueppel, and never looked back. The Hornets led 33-18 after the first quarter, extended the advantage to 60-34 at halftime, and weathered a modest Denver push in the third quarter before closing out the win. The most critical phase of the game was unquestionably the first quarter, where Charlotte established a tone of defensive intensity and offensive efficiency that the Nuggets could never counter. The Hornets’ 12-0 start, highlighted by defensive stops and quick transition offense, immediately silenced the sellout crowd of 19,971 and put the heavily favored Nuggets on their heels. Denver missed its first five field goal attempts and committed two turnovers before Jamal Murray finally got the home team on the board nearly three minutes into the game. By that point, Charlotte’s confidence was soaring, and the Nuggets, struggling with rotation players in enlarged roles, appeared disorganized and unable to match the visitors’ energy. Charlotte’s defense was the cornerstone of the victory. The Hornets held Denver to 40.5 percent shooting from the field and a frigid 21.1 percent from three-point range on 38 attempts. The Nuggets managed an offensive rating of just 99.4 points per 100 possessions. Charlotte also dominated the glass, securing 16 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points and a 54-42 overall rebounding edge. Offensively, the Hornets were balanced and efficient, posting an offensive rating of 120.6. While they only recorded four assists in the game, a testament to a more isolation-heavy attack, they shot 49.4 percent from the field. Beyond Miller’s efficient 23 points in 24 minutes, Charlotte received significant contributions from its bench and frontcourt. Rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner provided a major spark with 17 points and six rebounds. The night’s top star, however, was reserve forward Tidjane Salaun, who broke out with 13 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in 22 minutes. This performance marked a dramatic uptick for Salaun, who had totaled just 11 points over his previous four games combined. His activity on both ends provided a crucial lift, particularly during his first-quarter stint that helped squash any early notion of a Denver rally. Collin Sexton added 14 points and five assists, LaMelo Ball chipped in 10 points and six assists, and Knueppel scored 14 for the Hornets, who improved to 16-27. Denver, which fell to 29-14, was led by Jamal Murray’s 16 points. Julian Strawther scored 15 off the bench, and Jalen Pickett had 12 points and seven assists. The Nuggets, however, were clearly hampered by the absence of multiple regulars, which stretched their rotation and led to inconsistent execution. They committed only eight turnovers but were outworked in the paint and on the perimeter defensively. The victory was a stark reversal from the teams’ previous meeting on Dec. 7, a 115-106 Denver win in Charlotte. It also defied pregame expectations, as statistical models gave the Nuggets an 83.4 percent probability to win, and Denver was installed as a 3-point favorite. The combined score of 197 fell well under the over/under line of 230.5. Charlotte will look to build on the momentum Wednesday when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers. Denver, seeking to regroup, faces the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Tuesday.

DENVER (Interstat) — The surging Denver Nuggets, boasting one of the NBA’s best records, will look to continue their momentum when they host the inconsistent Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at Ball Arena. The Nuggets (28-13) enter on a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating the Dallas Mavericks 118-109 on Wednesday. Guard Jamal Murray has been on a scoring tear, averaging 28.2 points and 9.6 assists over his last 10 games, including a 35-point, 9-assist performance in a win over New Orleans on Tuesday. His backcourt leadership has been central to Denver’s success. Charlotte (15-26) arrives following a stunning 135-117 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. The Hornets have shown a high-octane but erratic offense, scoring 150 points in a win at Utah on Jan. 10 but also suffering several narrow losses. Star guard LaMelo Ball is the catalyst, coming off a 30-point, 11-assist effort against the Lakers. Over his last five games, Ball is averaging 24.0 points and 7.6 assists. Denver won the season’s first meeting, 115-106 in Charlotte on Dec. 7. The Nuggets’ home-court advantage and superior consistency make them a formidable challenge for a Hornets team that is 4-6 in its last 10 contests. The matchup features a compelling duel at point guard between Murray and Ball, two dynamic players capable of controlling a game’s tempo. Denver’s defense, anchored by Nikola Jokic, will be tested by Charlotte’s perimeter attack, which also features high-scoring forwards Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller. The Nuggets are installed as a 3-point favorite, with an over/under total set at 230.5 points, suggesting expectations for a fast-paced contest. Following this game, Denver will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, while Charlotte returns home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.