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

The Charlotte Hornets (17-17) play against the Denver Nuggets (16-16) at Ball Arena

Game Time: 9:00 PM EST on Thursday December 23, 2021

Charlotte Hornets 115, Denver Nuggets 107 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Zeke Nnaji is 2-of-14 from three in the last three weeks, excluding the New York game at the beginning of that stretch. – 2:26 AM Damichael Cole @DamichaelC
The Grizzlies just lost their third straight game but no one behind them is taking advantage. The Nuggets and Mavs both lost and the Lakers are down 20 at home in the fourth quarter vs. the Spurs. I guess that’s the best case scenario in a loss. Still up 1.5 games for 4th spot. – 12:55 AM Miles Bridges @MilesBridges
Got something for y’all for Christmas 🙌🏽🙌🏽 – 12:54 AM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
“We know the formula and now, we just have to go execute it for 48 minutes. We’re not there yet, but at least we get to go home now… We’re going back home .500, but we have a lot of work to do and we know what we’re capable of.” – James Borrego
#AllFly | @HusqvarnaUSA – 12:50 AM PJ Washington @PJWashington
Can’t wait to get home – 12:36 AM Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
Nice win for the Warriors with a challenging six-game stretch ahead and their #2 (Wiggins) and #3 (Poole) leading scorers in protocol.
Record: 26-6
Next six: at Phoenix, vs Denver, at Denver, at Utah, vs Miami, at Dallas – 12:28 AM Miles Bridges @MilesBridges
Can’t throw a rock in an ocean 🤦🏽‍🤦🏽‍ it’s gone turn – 12:15 AM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Tough night.
nba.com/nuggets/news/n… – 12:15 AM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Nikola Jokić’s usage rate on the evening was 45.6%.
He used 45.5% of the possessions tonight when he was on the floor. That’s…historically high.
Had the third worst TS% ahead of Monte and Bones. – 12:13 AM Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
The Joker debuts a new GT Jump — early look at a Christmas PE? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kXt8ItoXzr – 12:13 AM Miles Bridges @MilesBridges
Great Team win!!!! Ish, KO, Jalen, and PJ was going crazy 🔥🔥🔥 – 12:10 AM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Facu reiterated that the team trusts Nikola Jokić 100% even when he takes a higher number of shots than normal.
“Something good is going to happen when he touches the ball.”
Said that being without Jamal Murray, Michael Porter, and PJ Dozier makes it more difficult. – 12:00 AM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone on the Nuggets struggling to get Jokić the ball:
“No doubt. There were times when you’ve got the reigning MVP and you can’t get him the ball. They ramped up their pressure, and whether it was in the pick and roll…or the post…we just couldn’t get him the ball.” – 11:46 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Kelly: 23 PTS, 5 3PT
Terry: 17 PTS, 7 REB
Miles: 16 PTS, 5 REB
Melo: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 4 STL
PJ: 13 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST
Jalen: 12 PTS, 6 REB
Ish: 9 PTS, 4 AST, 2 BLK
Hornets: W
#AllFly | @drpepper pic.twitter.com/2wQRpYuAeC – 11:37 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Final numbers pic.twitter.com/N02WCiCcra – 11:36 PM Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
A 38-13 close for the Hornets to win in Denver. Bucks win in Dallas, Hawks win in Philadelphia, Wizards win in New York despite Kemba’s 44.
Celtics in a three-way tie for 7th with the Hornets and Sixers.
Five games separate 2 through 11 in the East heading into Christmas. pic.twitter.com/VwMbRgkqeq – 11:29 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Tonight’s @HusqvarnaUSA Player of the Game is @Kelly Oubre!
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/y7mnSi2bfh – 11:27 PM Spencer Percy @QCHspencer
Unreal win for Charlotte, outscoring Denver 38-18 in the 4Q. What a way to finish the 6 game WC road trip, which was mostly a slog. Schedule begins to lighten up for the Bugs now. I see you, Ish Smith! – 11:27 PM J. Michael Falgoust @ThisIsJMichael
Ish Smith with the steal. Don’t think Jokic even saw him down there. … then hits the 3. Nuggets got the guy shooting that they wanted. Jokic correctly shorts his close out to the corner. You allow this shot every single time and if he makes it 🤷🏽‍ #NuggetsHornets pic.twitter.com/r1GTAmsUyp – 11:27 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final rotations for the Nuggets as they lose to the Hornets 115-107.
-Outscored 38-13 in the fourth quarter by Ish Smith and PJ Washington
-Jokić took 17 shots in each half and made 13 total.
-I got nuthin. It’s not on the bench. pic.twitter.com/14bGtUTBEG – 11:26 PM Charlotte Hornets PR @HornetsPR
After trailing by 17, 94-77, to start Q4 the @Charlotte Hornets come from behind to win, 115-107, at DEN. This marks the second time in franchise history CHA has won a game after trailing by 17 points heading into Q4. First instance was on 11/23/15 vs. SAC #AllFly – 11:25 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Turns out Hornets like the high altitude 🐝
#AllFly | @NewAmsterdam pic.twitter.com/XFGV6XjaZ8 – 11:25 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
pic.twitter.com/ubrWFOQywe – 11:25 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
free throw defense by Kelly Oubre Jr. pic.twitter.com/X23v4bW5R6 – 11:23 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Nikola Jokic had 29/21/5.
His team blew a 19-point lead.
He was the only positive +/- on the Nuggets tonight. pic.twitter.com/LM8Qj9SdHb – 11:23 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
Final: #Hornets 115, Nuggets 107
Kelly Oubre 23 pts
Terry Rozier 17 pts, 7 rebs
Miles Bridges 16 pts, 5 rebs
LaMelo 16 pts, 5 rebs, 4 ast
Up next: vs. Houston on Monday – 11:22 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
This was an embarrassing loss for the Denver Nuggets.
James Borrego elected to bench LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges and go with his bench unit and it worked.
Denver was up by 17 points and there was a second half collapse.
The Nuggets were also outscored 38-13 in the 4th. – 11:22 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
What a terrible game experience. Jokic firing off 30+ shots ineffectively, team blowing a huge lead. Just a frustrating night all around. – 11:21 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
pic.twitter.com/UUN9ZmoF37 – 11:21 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Does Ish Smith hate the Denver Nuggets? – 11:20 PM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Wait, Charlotte did WHAT?!? – 11:20 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
#Hornets are about to win this game. #wut – 11:19 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
3⃣J IS ON 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lmsXvQfMxz – 11:18 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
3⃣J WASHINGTON 👌🉑
@PJ Washington | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/wWIyUhfYp8 – 11:14 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
I don’t understand why getting the ball to Jokic is such a tough concept. If HE calls your number, good. Why are you calling your own number and failing miserably instead of working for a better Jokic-led play? – 11:11 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Nuggets losing the 4th 27-7. – 11:10 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
PJ Washington 3-pointer gives #Hornets a 104-101 lead with 3:07 left. #wut – 11:10 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
These stretches where the Nuggets absolutely forget how to play rudimentary basketball are painfully tragic. – 11:08 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
It’s the season of giving and @Jalen McDaniels is delivering posters for everybody! 🤯💥
#AllFly | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/2d9RuqZvxc – 11:08 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Charlotte has somehow came back and tied this one up late in the 4th.
Denver was up by as many as 17 points in the game.
The Hornets coach has elected to bench his starters in this game and still has cut into this lead. – 11:07 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Cam Johnson one point shy of tying his career high of 22 set this season against Denver. #Suns – 11:01 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
That’s 3 filthy dunks for Jalen McDaniels tonight. #Hornets are on a 14-4 run and cut Nuggets lead to 98-91. – 11:01 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
OUBR3 AND
@Kelly Oubre | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/YX3IgupfZH – 11:00 PM Spencer Percy @QCHspencer
Man, if there’s anything left in the tank this really feels like an important 8 minutes of basketball for Charlotte. – 10:59 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Headed to the final 12.
#AllFly | @AthleticBrewing pic.twitter.com/POfEeeqiXj – 10:51 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
🔘🔘🔘 pic.twitter.com/E4uwZgBtYr – 10:49 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, this game remains so weird, but the biggest constant is that Charlotte has shot like hell. – 10:47 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
End of 3rd Q: Nuggets 94, #Hornets 77 – 10:47 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Rivers choosing to go 1-on-4 instead of getting the ball to Jokic has happened a couple times this game. Thanks, I hate it. Gotta make that pass and trust you’ll get it back. – 10:45 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
23 points and 20 rebounds.
In three quarters. pic.twitter.com/T6qVdI7rdt – 10:44 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
So good to see Barton puttin em in the net. He’s had a rough stretch (due to that groin injury from when he did the splits and kept playing, IMO) but Willie B Buckets getting those buckets is great for Denver. – 10:41 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
Nikola Jokic has tied his season high with 19 rebounds. Going to go out on a limb and say he will get one more at least. – 10:35 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
well hello there JOK3R – 10:35 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Will Barton finally puts together his best stretch in a few games.
A couple of great setups to open teammates, finally sees his shot goes in and the bench is beyond excited to see it.
He’s been in quite a funk as of late. – 10:30 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Welcome back Will Barton. Generates three Nuggets baskets in a row and both Jamal Murray and Bones Hyland meet him at half court to celebrate that last three-pointer. – 10:30 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
#Hornets are 8 for 33 from 3-point range. That’s 24.2 percent for those keeping track at home. – 10:29 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Hoping for more of the same in the second half 📊 pic.twitter.com/AdLH20UZEr – 10:20 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Nothing to see here, just another absurd pass from the best passer in the league pic.twitter.com/BaeGbvOyUl – 10:19 PM Joe Mussatto @joe_mussatto
The Thunder outscored the Nuggets 62-36 in the paint last night. The Thunder is outscoring the Suns 30-10 in the paint tonight. – 10:18 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
They will learn one day 🤯😱
@Miles Bridges | @HornetsOnBally | @Drpepper pic.twitter.com/ySkhWMezot – 10:17 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Tremendous first half from Facu Campazzo. He changed things for the Nuggets when he came in, brought the energy as he always does and it was contagious. – 10:14 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nuggets bench goes nuclear as Denver takes a 65-52 lead into the half.
Facu Campazzo hits 3 3-pointers, Vlatko Cancar & Austin Rivers have 9 points and Nikola Jokic looks like Wilt Chamberlain as he has 16 rebounds already.
What’s your halftime message to the team? – 10:10 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
First-half double-double for Joker 💪
12 PTS | 16 REB pic.twitter.com/SoGh7xK6mv – 10:08 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Commercial break.
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/fxqIvY4Nhf – 10:08 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Felt like Jokic threw a fit for a stint and thoroughly dominated for a stint.
12 points
16 rebounds
3 assists
It’s halftime. – 10:07 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
🔘🔘 pic.twitter.com/vDIChllanz – 10:07 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime rotations for the Nuggets as they lead the Hornets 65-52.
-Facu has been Fac-ing fantastic
-Nikola has 16 rebounds but is 6/17 from the field
-Nuggets shooting 50% from 3 as a team with contributions everywhere
-What is this game pic.twitter.com/GLiGHLu5vo – 10:06 PM Jamal Murray @BeMore27
Caged lion @Kemba Walker – 10:06 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
Halftime: Nuggets 65, #Hornets 52 – 10:04 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Facuuuuu 👌 – 10:04 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
#Hornets struggling shooting here in the second quarter. Miles Bridges doesn’t settle and throws one down on Vlatko Cancar. – 10:03 PM Michael Pina @MichaelVPina
that jokic pass omg – 10:03 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
We don’t recommend jumping with Jeff around pic.twitter.com/HaPim4h3wu – 10:02 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Rozier J-Mac 💥
@Jalen McDaniels x @Terry Rozier
#AllFly | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/rNHgowlul6 – 9:57 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
UNCLE JEFF CAUGHT A BODY 😯 pic.twitter.com/qbWezCS7Gm – 9:56 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Facu looking at the Nuggets bench telling them to count the assist after that Joker bucket had me dying up here 😂😂😂 – 9:56 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Welcome to your Kodak Moment with J-Mac! 🎥💥
@Jalen McDaniels | @Drpepper pic.twitter.com/3ZesBIf95b – 9:55 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
That transition break from the Nuggets was *chefs kiss*
Jokić to Morris to Green PERFECTION – 9:54 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
UNCLE JEFF JAM – 9:53 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Bones sprinting around and behind Jokic to make that three was great. Wanted his shot, saw a way to get it wide open, and created it. Lotta confidence there that paid off. When Austin Rivers wants to drive the hoop instead of pass to Jokic though – he should reconsider. – 9:50 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The Hornets win started a stretch of 3 weeks where it’s game, day off, game, etc. for the Suns so you can expect to see Monty try and find windows to give guys extra rest. Wanted to here but brought back in 4 starters with the way things are trending. – 9:49 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets just aren’t getting a good whistle on either end of the floor and somehow the bench has put up 25 points in like 12 minutes to keep them in it anyway. – 9:47 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Can never knock @Facundo Campazzo‘s hustle pic.twitter.com/S5I0hCLJ8o – 9:46 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Almost had the perfect highlight 😅 pic.twitter.com/TpaFFY9VSF – 9:41 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
On the edge of our seats already 👀
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/5RixHkiCHG – 9:40 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
🔘 pic.twitter.com/4sXWWJClWJ – 9:39 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
End of first Q: #Hornets 27, Nuggets 26 – 9:37 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Austin Rivers awakens the second unit with 3-point shots, Facu Campazzo has gotten in the mix and played well defensively and Zeke Nnaji is playing aggressive
Denver takes a 26-25 lead in the 1st after a big run. – 9:36 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
The Nuggets bench is balling – 9:36 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
AUSTIN RIV3RS (x2) pic.twitter.com/h99VdZvPWK – 9:32 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
Christmas keys
Nuggets vs Hornets
🔑 Holiday spirit – effort, energy, urgency
🔑 Be like Santa – deliver all the gifts – assist, share the ball
🔑 Stay off the naughty list – defend the paint, rebound, and run off the shooters from 3
#MileHighBasketball
pic.twitter.com/LqShl7f6TI – 9:30 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
Gordon Hayward is running the point as LaMelo gets his first breather. – 9:29 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Austin Rivers saving the day on both ends. – 9:28 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Sky Miles takin’ off in the Mile High City
@Miles Bridges | @drpepper pic.twitter.com/DHhcd63e3l – 9:25 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
We’ve got @LindseyHoran in the house and she took tonight’s @WesternUnion First Shot!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/y2Lc1zBogs – 9:24 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
First player off the bench tonight: Kelly Oubre. – 9:21 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Looks like the Suns are switching 1-5 a bit. That was something DA said he begged the coaching staff to let him do against Charlotte and they obliged. – 9:15 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
#Hornets have a first quarter lead. Haven’t said that in a while. – 9:15 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
Cheers for Mason Plumlee as he’s introduced. Still gets love in Denver. – 9:06 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jeff Green addresses the crowd before the national anthem to wish Nuggets fans a happy holidays.
Grown appreciation for Jeff. – 9:04 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Let’s end this road trip with a W! 😈
📍 – Denver, CO
🆚 – @Denver Nuggets
📺 – @HornetsOnBally
📻 – @WFNZ 610 AM/102.5 FM pic.twitter.com/wONZ5qu9zc – 9:02 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Starting in the 🏔
@CrumblCookies | https://t.co/ogyvkEMqyP pic.twitter.com/JAWXjZEKgl – 8:47 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Congratulations to tonight’s Sit in the Front Seat winners, Presented by Your Front Range @Toyota Stores!
Click the link below for your chance to win a pair of courtside seats to an upcoming game
👉 https://t.co/zCf71rHh7e pic.twitter.com/MFiwlfIgdp – 8:36 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Vlatko Cancar is starting at small forward for Denver tonight in place of Aaron Gordon. Cancar’s first start of the season and second of his career. – 8:33 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
First 🖐 tonight!
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/584BFVBRBs – 8:31 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Aaron Gordon is out tonight vs. Hornets, Nuggets announce. Denver downgraded him from probable to questionable a short while ago. – 8:01 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Aaron Gordon (left hamstring soreness) is OUT for tonight’s game.
#MileHighBasketball – 8:00 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
📍 @BallArenaDenver pic.twitter.com/zIOsV5cRdP – 7:48 PM Rod Boone @rodboone
James Borrego said there are no minutes restrictions on Gordon Hayward tonight. pic.twitter.com/MxzP762R58 – 7:47 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
INJURY REPORT vs DEN
Cody Martin (Health & Safety Protocols) is out.
#AllFly | @NovantHealth pic.twitter.com/UN7FxM6ros – 7:21 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Michael Malone says that he believes Bones Hyland will be able to play tonight. – 7:20 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone highlights the need to bring better effort to a game that may mirror Denver’s game yesterday against a similar open court style.
Malone notes the big difference offensively is that Charlotte is an elite three-point shooting team. – 7:19 PM Katy Winge @katywinge
First person that responds to this and can make it to the Nuggets game in Denver tonight – I got two tickets for you! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄 – 6:33 PM PJ Washington @PJWashington
Black ball hard yb went crazy – 6:07 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Post up points per game this season:
8.6 — Joel Embiid
8
7
6
5.1 — Nikola Jokic
4.5 — Jonas Valanciunas
The gap between Embiid and 2nd place is bigger than the gap between 2nd and 35th. pic.twitter.com/htqO39DPKT – 5:45 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Over/Under 25 assists for the squad tonight?
Sign up and bet $1 on any NBA game with @PointsBetUSA and get $100 in Free Bets!
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#MileHighBasketball – 5:34 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
OFFICIAL: Following the NBA G League Showcase in Las Vegas, we have recalled Vernon Carey Jr., Kai Jones and JT Thor from the @greensboroswarm. They will rejoin the team in Charlotte following the conclusion of the team’s current six-game west coast trip.
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/Md49m7blrw – 5:30 PM Andrew Bogut @RogueBoguesPod
Basketball Pod Episode 47 – Useful or Useless: Markieff Morris has missed 17 consecutive games since his altercation with Nikola Jokić.
Listen to it here 👇
https://t.co/u0OwdyEs2S
#LetsGetRogue #RogueBogues #NBA #Morris #Jokic pic.twitter.com/RvjlyZOSOM – 5:29 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. have now missed a combined 51 out of 60 possible games for the Nuggets so far, and that number will keep maxing out until at least February.
Any other teams have to deal with that level of injury absence thus far? Not COVID, but injury. – 4:22 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Minor update: @kylefredrickson has you on #Nuggets coverage tonight. Singer – out for the holiday. pic.twitter.com/C244nmKuTu – 4:00 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Do we have any great gift-givers in Nuggets Nation?
We asked the squad to reveal the best gifts they’ve ever given and received 🎁
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/Cq2uTcQ1lf – 4:00 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
📍 Denver, CO
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/OZ91YSPSDl – 3:49 PM Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
NBA power rankings: Suns, Warriors, Nets, Jazz shoot for top spots; Nuggets make big jump
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 3:40 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Aaron Gordon, JaMychal Green, and Bones Hyland are all probable to play tonight against the Hornets.
However, I would expect Vlatko to play over Zeke after yesterday’s game.
Bol Bol remains in health and safety protocols. pic.twitter.com/EEhve27LvD – 3:19 PM Harrison Wind @HarrisonWind
Bones Hyland (right ankle sprain) is probable tonight vs. the Hornets. – 3:00 PM