The Charlotte Hornets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 84-68 in the NBA 2K25 Summer League at Cox Pavilion on Friday. Charlotte’s impressive beginning and commanding third quarter ensured their decisive victory.
Early Lead and Dominant Third Quarter
Charlotte established an early lead with a 20-13 advantage in the first quarter and held onto it for the rest of the game. The Hornets built on their lead with a dominant 25-8 third quarter, increasing their advantage to 26 points. They held a minimum 15-point advantage throughout the last 13 minutes of the game.
Shooting and Team Effort
The Hornets demonstrated impressive accuracy with their shooting, making 43.5% of their attempts from the field (30-for-69) and 46.2% from beyond the arc (12-for-26). On the other hand, the Blazers had a hard time, making only 32.9% of their shots from the field (27 out of 82) and a lowly 14.6% from three-point range (6 out of 41). Charlotte also had more assists than Portland, with a 24-14 advantage, showing superior ball distribution and teamwork.
Standout Performances
Matt Morgan led the Hornets (3-1) to victory with a career-best 36 points coming off the bench, shooting a perfect 11-of-11, including 7-of-7 from beyond the arc. Jake Stephens provided 14 points, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Zavier Simpson contributed 14 points, four rebounds, eight assists, four steals, and two blocks to the game.
Donovan Clingan led the Trail Blazers (2-2) with 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and four blocks. Kennedy Chandler contributed 15 points along with seven rebounds. Bryce McGowens scored 16 points and grabbed five rebounds off the bench, with Rayan Rupert adding seven points, four rebounds, and six assists.
Closing Out the Summer League
The Summer League will end on Sunday for Hornets and Blazers. As they play consolation games against opponents that have not been determined yet. The impressive display by Charlotte showcases their capabilities, as Portland aims to recover in their upcoming match.
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